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.
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