Tuesday, 21 June 2022 12:55

Extension welcomed by pork sector

Written by  Staff Reporters
NZ Pork chief executive Brent Kleiss. NZ Pork chief executive Brent Kleiss.

The country's pork sector has welcomed an extension to consultation on a controversial draft code of welfare for pigs.

Following a request to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), it has agreed to extend the consultation by two weeks to July 8 after discussions with NZ Pork.

"When the consultation was launched at the end of April, it quickly became clear to us that an eight-week period was insufficient time to allow for well-considered submissions to be made from all industry stakeholders," chief executive of NZ Pork Brent Kleiss says.

:"The proposed changes are colosal and unprecedented, the material accompanying the draft code is substantial and there is a large amount of information for farmers and other industry stakeholders to review and assess.

"Given the survival of individual farmers and the industry supply chain is at stake, we are pleased MPI has agreed to our request."

The draft code goes well beyond the welfare requirements in other countries.

It includes major changes to the minimum space allowance required for grower pigs, a ban or significant limitation on the traditional use of farrowing systems (farrowing crates) and an effective ban on mating stalls.

Kleiss claims the proposed changes could force pig farmers out of business and put the price of New Zealand born and raised pork out of the reach of many New Zealanders.

More like this

Eric Roy: Championing the pork industry

It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.

Featured

Safer Rides initiative boosts farm quad bike safety

According to a new report, the Safer Rides initiative, which offered farmers heavily discounted crush protection devices (CPDs) for quad bikes, has made a significant impact in raising awareness and action around farm vehicle safety.

Editorial: Farewell Jim

OPINION: In the past weeks, much has been said and written about one of New Zealand's greatest prime ministers, James Brendan Bolger, who died just a few months after his 90th birthday.

Fieldays calls for strategic investment in its future

A function at Parliament on 7th October brought together central government decision-makers, MPs, industry stakeholders and commercial partners to highlight the need for strategic investment in the future of Fieldays and its home, the Mystery Creek Events Centre campus.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Red faced

OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…

Cold comfort

One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter