Be afraid
OPINION: Your old mate hears some of the recent uptick in farmer confidence has slipped since the political polls started leading a bit to the left, away from the current coalition of National, Act and NZ First.
Pork NZ reports that more than 50,000 metric tonnes of overseas pork was imported into New Zealand during 2022, most of it from countries that allow pig farming practices that are illegal in New Zealand.
According to Pork NZ, almost two thirds of the pork consumed in NZ comes from overseas, but there is no requirement for it to meet our animal welfare standards.
Around 98% of the pork imported from overseas comes from countries that use sow crates, which are banned in NZ.
Our pork sector has more stringent welfare and environmental standards compared to other countries.
This sounds like a recipe for disaster for the NZ pig farming sector.
