Animal welfare ideals of the consumer won through with the changes announced to farrowing crate use for pigs.
But the challenge has been put to the consumer, these changes will make NZ Pork more expensive.
With about half of NZ pig products imported and not restricted by these regulations, it will be interesting to see if consumers "put their money where their mouth is" and buy only NZ pork.
Will the animal welfare lobby be as vigilant about publicising imported pork's animal welfare standards, as they were in NZ?
Will you buy dearer NZ pork that has met all the animal welfare codes?
Sow crates will be phased out by 2015, Agriculture Minister David Carter has announced. The controversial 'gestation stalls' for pigs have been criticised as cruel by animal welfare campaigners. Carter announced the Release of the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2010 this afternoon.
The Green party called it a "victory" for campaigners. The New Zealand Pork Industry Board also welcomed the news. The code will come into effect on Friday and the crates will be prohibited within five years. Carter said there was a "growing unease" about the use of crates, which he shared. The new code calls for the stalls to be limited to four weeks by December 2012 and a total ban by December 3 2015 reports Stuff. Five years would allow farmers to change their production systems and train staff, Carter said.
But in the NZ Herald the Pork Industry told consumers to expect dearer pork because of this change in regulations.
Pig farmers are hoping New Zealanders will be willing to buy ham, pork and bacon made from locally farmed, happy pigs over cheaper imported products, following changes to welfare rules that are expected to push up prices. But the pork industry board said the extra costs will be more than $20 million, which will have to be recovered.
"We do expect that we may have people exiting the industry who don't feel they can make the change," said NZ Pork chief executive Sam McIvor. "This is about responding to consumers, and that's exactly why the industry is taking this step, and we're asking for loyalty from consumers for taking that step," Mr McIvor said."That's the challenge we're putting in front of New Zealand consumers."
About half of the pork products available in New Zealand are imported. The board estimates that at about 700,000kg a week.
4 Comments
Animal welfare concerns are a consideration for only a very insignificant percentage of food buyers. Price determines what the majority of consumers buy.
If Carter truly believes in what he said re consumers and animal welfare he should also ban imports of any pork product where the counrty of origin doesn't have the same animal welfare standards that NZ does. But of course he won't - he doesn't have the balls.
Double standards at work again - one for NZers and one for everyone else. Just more politiking from the pollies.
Can you prove insignificant %?
Carter does not have to ban anything, he can simply say label it.....hence the NZ pork industry has an opportunity to differntiate itself and I for one would buy their pork.....
Or I should say start buying again when i see the labels....for now I dont buy pork unless i can find organic........
regards
Disagree steven, but then differing opinion is what makes the world so interesting. :-)
If NZ farmers cannot have sow crates, then no pork sold in this country should be allowed to have come from sow crates. Why should consumers have a choice, but farmers not have the same choice when it comes to raising their livestock - hypocritical pandering. It puts NZ producers at a disadvantage. After all if the govt believes in the animal welfare code then it will ensure it applies to all pork sold, otherwise it is merely politiking.
Labelling can be somewhat 'creative'. I'm in the UK at present and bought some 'NZ Lamb' from Waitrose. When you look at the back of the packaging it said 'Produced in the UK from NZ Lamb'.????? Over here so long as it is packaged in the UK it is classed as being produced in the UK.
We eat home reared meat and I'm no fan of pork, so it will make no difference to me. It's all about a level playing field for NZ producers from where I sit.
Can't provide stats for you but here's a couple of links that back up what I hear from friends and family that price is a bigger determinant.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=105…
http://nz.nielsen.com/news/StoreChoice.shtml
http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_US/us/Industries/consumer-products/a5cf…
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