Wednesday, 29 March 2023 10:55

Pig ignorant!

Written by The Hound

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

OPINION: Your old mate notes that regulations governing NZ's pig sector could end up seeing us running out of locally produced pork - like we are currently experiencing with eggs.

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.

More like this

Dark ages

OPINION: Before we all let The Green Party have at it with their 'bold' emissions reduction plan, the Hound thought it wise to run the numbers through the old Casio.

Rhymes with?

OPINION: The Feds' latest banking survey shows that bankers are even less popular with farmers than they used to be, despite falling interest rates, and the report still paints a damning picture of rural lending.

Waste not

OPINION: Judith Collins, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, has upset the more woke members of the science community by announcing a regulation change to narrow the scope of the $83.5 million/year Marsden Fund.

Middle finger

OPINION: Kainga Ora's decision to categorically rule out use of woollen carpets in social housing is a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers.

Ham wins race for Kiwi Christmas favourite

Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.

Featured

A challenging year but better days are coming

For the primary sector, 2024 would go down as one of the toughest years on record. Peter Burke reports.

New funds give Southland catchment projects a boost

Environment Southland says it has now ring-fenced $375,000 for new funding initiatives, aimed at enhancing water quality.

NZ National Lamb Day names FMG and Rabobank as 2025 partners

National Lamb Day, the annual celebration honouring New Zealand’s history of lamb production, could see a boost in 2025 as rural insurer FMG and Rabobank sign on as principal partners.

'Female warriors' to talk ag sector opportunities

The East Coast Farming Expo is playing host to a quad of ‘female warriors’ (wahine toa) who will give an in-depth insight into the opportunities and successes the primary industries offer women.

New Zealand Food Safety shares food safety tips

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is sharing simple food safety tips for Kiwis to follow over the summer.

Dairy-beef offering potential for savings

Beef produced from cattle from New Zealand's dairy sector could provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 48, compared to the average for beef cattle, a new study by AgResearch has found.