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

Canterbury farmer Sean Molloy joins New Zealand Pork board

Following a recent director election, Canterbury farmer Sean Molloy has been appointed to the New Zealand Pork Industry Board.

Pig farmers respond to new welfare standards

Pig farmers are cautiously welcoming new animal welfare standards announced by the Government last week.

Wrong focus

OPINION: Your old mate reckons townie Brooke van Velden, the Minister of Workplace (or is it Woke Place) Relations is now showing how underemployed she is as a minister by initiating an investigation into whether young children should be banned from collecting eggs on farms and feeding animals.

Burn the village

OPINION: There's an infamous term coined by a US general during the Vietnam war, specifically in reference to the battle of Ben Tre: "We had to burn the village to save it."

Purist problem

OPINION: The sudden departure of Jim Ward, manager of Molesworth Station for 24 years, highlighted some major dysfunction in the way conservation estate is managed in this country - the biggest problem, as the Hound sees it, being idealogues who harp on about "taonga" and use all means possible to block sensible commercial operations on conservation land.

Featured

Waikato dairy effluent breaches lead to $108,000 in fines

Two farmers and two farming companies were recently convicted and fined a total of $108,000 for environmental offending.

Geopolitical shifts drive fertiliser market volatility – Ravensdown

According to Ravensdown's most recent Market Outlook report, a combination of geopolitical movements and volatile market responses are impacting the global fertiliser landscape.

Environment Canterbury promotes on-farm composting as a practical alternative to offal pits

Environment Canterbury, alongside industry partners and a group of farmers, is encouraging farmers to consider composting as an environmentally friendly alternative to offal pits.

Indian FTA 'opens doors for dairy'

A New Zealand dairy industry leader believes the free trade deal announced with India delivers wins for the sector.

Coalition Govt split over Indian FTA

The Coalition Government will need the support of at least one opposition party to ratify the free trade deal with India.

Santa's present for the primary sector - an FTA with India

Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand.

National

Keep Your Food Safe This Festive Season: NZ Food Safety Tips

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is reminding New Zealanders to keep food safety top of mind as they head into…

Appetise.io reveals top Kiwi Christmas food trends for 2025

Food insights platform Appetise.io has revealed what Kiwis are planning to put on their Christmas tables this year.

Velvetleaf: New Zealand’s most aggressive cropping weed

Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) is an annual broad-leaved herb, originating in China, that can grow between 1 and 2.5 metres tall,…

India FTA negotiations end

A landmark moment for New Zealand. That's how Prime Minister Christopher Luxon describes the conclusion of negotiations for an India-New…

Mental Health and Fitness Unite: The Push-Up Challenge comes to New Zealand

The Push-Up Challenge, an event which combines mental health and fitness, is set to launch in New Zealand in 2026.

Machinery & Products

AgriSpread AS3000 Bulk Spreader: Precision spreading up to 52m

Manufactured in Ireland, tested and launched at Agritechnica in Germany, AgriSpread’s new AS3000 bulk spreader takes much of the technology…

Agritechnica 2025: Claas, Fendt and Valtra claim 2026 Tractor of the Year Awards

Last month's Agritechnica event led to a wide group of manufacturers celebrating successes when the 2026 Tractor of the Year…

New Case IH Puma series debuts with improved design & precision tech

Case IH used Agritechnica to reveal its new Puma series tractor, featuring what it claims is an entirely new vehicle…

New Holland unveils “Il Trattore” concept at Agritechnica

Creating a great deal of enthusiasm at Agritechnica, the T5.120 ‘Il Trattore’ styling concept tractor was celebrating the legacy of…

Deutz-Fahr unveils all-new 8 series tractor range at Agritechnica

Agritechnica was the launchpad for several “new” tractors, most reworks of existing models, but Deutz Fahr ‘s new 8 Series was…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Visit archives

» Connect with Rural News

RSS Facebook Twitter