Animal Policy International (API) is highlighting a critical gap in the new pig welfare bill discussed in Parliament today during its first reading.
Notably, concerns about imports were raised during today’s reading, emphasising the need for both domestic and imported pork to adhere to the same welfare standards. This alignment is crucial to help the Government fulfill legal requirements to phase out the use of farrowing crates — a concern currently unaddressed in the bill. It would also prevent animal welfare gains from being undermined and assist farmers in transitioning effectively.
Key Concerns and Opportunities
Background: In 2020, the legality of farrowing crate use was challenged. The High Court ruled that the regulations for keeping pigs in cages were unlawful under the Animal Welfare Act and required a phase out of cages.
Proposed Changes by 2035 in the The Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Bill:
Farrowing crates: Confinement time reduced from 33 days to 7 days.
Mating stalls: Time reduced from 7 days to 3 hours at a time.
Grower pigs: Space increased by 13%.
Domestic and Import Parity: With the EU moving to phase out cage farming and apply standards to imports, New Zealand has the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve by doing the same. This alignment would provide practical support to farmers and ensure that higher welfare standards truly benefit animals rather than shifting cruelty abroad.
Importance of Import Standards
Current imports: Approximately 60% of the pork consumed in New Zealand is imported, mainly from countries like Canada, the United States and some European countries that allow the use of sow stalls and farrowing crates. New Zealand banned sow stalls in 2016 after a public outcry.
A level playing field: applying the same rules to imports makes it easier for New Zealand farmers to transition to higherwelfare systems like no use of farrowing crates, protects their livelihoods, and ensures our nation’s animalwelfare commitments are meaningful and not merely symbolic.
In today’s first reading of the bill, Jamie Arbuckle MP said, “We import 60% of all our pork products from either Canada, or the US or from over in Europe. While that might be an option, sometimes those countries don’t have standards as high as those that we are going to implement here today. So there needs to be some consistency in the regulations we put around our industry and the regulations we put on importers of products into this country. This issue has as much appetite to be answered through the Select Committee as the rest of this Bill as we go forward”.
Legislative Efforts and Public Support
Recent Legislation: In May, Green MP Steve Abel introduced the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill, supported by a petition with over 11,000 signatures, demanding that imported animal products meet local welfare standards.
Public Opinion: Over 80% of New Zealanders believe imported products should adhere to local welfare standards, reinforcing the government’s mandate to act.
A recent report also found many animal products come from countries that allow practices like confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages, pigs in sow stalls and farrowing crates, and live lamb cutting (mulesing) of sheep – all banned in New Zealand due to welfare issues but still used by major trading partners.
Mandy Carter, Co-Executive Director of Animal Policy International said, “Reducing confinement in farrowing crates is a good step, but more needs to be done – especially given the High Court ruling. Several countries have banned routine farrowing crates, and New Zealand could aim for the same. We urge the Government to be ambitious with animal welfare goals and apply these standards to imported pork. This is allowed under international trade rules and is crucial to prevent foreign producers with lower standards from undercutting Kiwi farmers. The public demands real, substantive change; nothing less will do.”
Notes:
Animal Policy International is an NGO working on trade and animal welfare, calling for animal welfare legislation (rearing, transport, slaughter) to also be applied to imported products via unilateral legislation.
Background
A farrowing crate is a small metal cage in which a sow is confined for close to 5 weeks at a time, 2-3 times a year, with her piglets off to the side. They have a negative effect on the sow’s welfare, leaving them unable to move around, socialise, and perform foraging and maternal behaviour.
Sweden, Switzerland and Norway all ban the routine use of farrowing crates.
The consultation on the pig code of welfare was the result of a judicial review bought by New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) and SAFE, challenging the continued use of farrowing crates for mother pigs. In 2020 the High Court ruled that the Minister of Agriculture and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee acted illegally when they failed to phase out farrowing crates and required a phase out of cages for pigs in New Zealand.
The Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill was tabled in May by Green MP Steve Abel. The bill will enable the Minister to set animal welfare standards for animal products sold in New Zealand. The Minister must make regulations regarding pigs and egg-laying hens within two years of this Bill coming into force.
In February 2025, the EU unveiled its Vision for Agriculture and Food where it recommitted to revise existing animal welfare legislation, including its commitment to phase out cages. Additionally, the Commission stated that future legislative proposals will apply the same standards for products produced in the EU and those imported from third countries.
Imports
In 2023 (latest stats from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)) the primary countries exporting pork to New Zealand were the US, Canada, Spain and Germany. The total pork imports added up to 47,133 tonnes in 2023 , representing over half of total pork consumption. The imported tonnage equates to approximately 486,000 pigs every year.
Polling shows 83% of New Zealanders agreeing that imported products from outside New Zealand should respect the same animal welfare standards as those applied in New Zealand.
Legal advice details that under international trade rules New Zealand can restrict imports that don’t meet its own standards.