PETA wants web cams in shearing sheds
Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.
More than 3,000 Kiwis have signed a petition calling for imported pork to be required to meet the same animal welfare standards as New Zealand pork.
Over 60% of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported with most of it being produced in countries that farm pigs using practices that are illegal in this country.
Now a petition seeking support for foreign pork to be forced to meet New Zealand’s high animal welfare standards has attracted thousands of signatures.
The petition was presented to National’s agriculture spokeswoman Barbara Kuriger at Parliament on 10 May.
“New Zealand’s pork sector has high welfare standards compared to many other countries with less rigorous health, welfare and environmental regimes,” says NZ Pork chief executive Brent Kliess.
“New Zealand pig farmers deserve a fair go so we believe it’s time that imported pork is required to meet our high standards.”
The call for pork imports to meet New Zealand’s standards coincides with the Government recently releasing a draft code of welfare for pigs, which goes beyond the welfare requirements in other countries, endangers the viability of New Zealand’s pork industry and threatens to put the price of local pork out of the reach of many Kiwis.
“Our standards are already much higher than the rest of the world,” says Kliess.
“The proposed code would widen that gap even further. It’s more important than ever that we support our farmers to be the best in the world.
“Even a report commissioned by the Government has calculated that the draft code will result in a 18.8% increase in the price of all New Zealand produced pork, a tsunami of imported pork undercutting local farmers and a reduction in the sales of born and raised New Zealand pork.”
New Zealand imports pork from a range of countries, including the United States, Spain, Canada and Poland.
Overseas, some pig farmers routinely castrate all male piglets, often without pain relief. In New Zealand, this procedure is rarely ever carried out, and if it is, only a veterinarian can do so and mandatory pain relief is required.
Gestation stalls for pregnant sows are also banned in New Zealand. The EU allows the stalls for the first 28 days of pregnancy and most states in the US allow them for the entirety of a sow’s pregnancy.
Unlike other countries, antibiotics are not used as growth promotants by New Zealand pig farmers. Porcine somatotropin, a pig growth hormone, is also not used in NZ.
“New Zealand’s commercial pig herd also has a high health status and is not affected by the diseases that are having a very serious impact on pork industries in many other countries,” says Kliess.
“We urge Kiwis to back New Zealand pig farmers and always look for a 100% NZ Pork label so they know they’re getting a cut above the rest.”
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being encouraged to cast their votes in the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board directors' election.
A unique discovery by a Palmerston North science company, Biolumic, looks set to revolutionise the value and potential of ryegrass and the secret is the application of ultraviolet (UV) light.
A New Zealand company is redefining the global collagen game by turning New Zealand sheepskin into a world-class health product.
With further extreme weather on the way, ANZ Bank is encouraging farmers and business owners impacted by the recent extreme weather and flooding to seek support if they need it.
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
There are opportunities outside the farmgate for young farmers to further develop their skills, says 2025 Primary Industries Emerging Leader Award winner Bridie Virbickas.
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