Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Andrew Hoggard said the government is making amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to improve welfare standards for pigs in New Zealand while allowing farmers sufficient time to implement these changes.
“These proposed changes set new requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls and requirements for space for growing pigs,” Hoggard said.
According to the proposed new regulations:
- Minimum spacing requirements for grower pigs will increase by 13.3%.
- the time sows are confined in farrowing crates will be reduced from a maximum of 33 days to seven days, and a requirement to provide manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours; and
- Use of mating stalls will be limited to no more than three hours at a time, down from seven days.
“Together, these proposed new requirements will be amongst the highest in the world and demonstrate the importance New Zealanders place upon animal welfare.
“Because these are substantial changes, the government will give farmers sufficient time to prepare for them, with the requirements coming into effect on 19 December 2035.
“This approach provides the sector with a realistic timeframe to make changes to their practices and farms, adapting to the new requirements without disrupting domestic pork supply or putting undue pressure on pig farmers.”
This decision comes after five years of consultation with industry, key stakeholders, veterinarians, and the public.
“The proposed amended regulations aim to ensure New Zealand retains its reputation for high animal welfare outcomes, while making sure we keep a viable pig farming industry in New Zealand, and Kiwis have access to locally grown pork.
“We’ve worked hard to minimise the costs for farmers. Nevertheless, many of these changes will require significant financial investment, infrastructure modification, and changes to practices on the farm.”