New Zealand Pork Industry Supports Phasing Out of Gestation Stalls
Statement made by New Zealand Pork Chairman Chris Trengrove and CEO Sam McIvor
The New Zealand pork industry supports the phasing out of gestation stalls by December 2015, announced today by
Agriculture Minister David Carter.
We are collaborating with Government, the National Animal Welfare Committee (NAWAC) and farmers to facilitate this next
stage in New Zealand pork production.
Today’s collaboration places New Zealand pork producers at the forefront of global animal welfare.
This initiative also provides New Zealand Pork the opportunity to differentiate itself against its global competitors
who continue to use gestation stalls.
We recognise that this issue is no longer just a scientific argument of whether or not gestation stalls are better for
sow welfare. Consumers prefer gestation stalls are not used – we have listened and we are making a change and removing
them.
There will be significant additional costs for our farmers with initial estimates in excess of $20 million over the
phase out period. To be successful this initiative will need support from the Government, consumers, the retail sector
and the community. This initiative will need to see our farmers paid higher prices for locally produced pork, bacon and
ham and we are looking to New Zealanders to support our local industry by buying New Zealand grown products.
We will be continuing consultation and collaboration with farmers, Government and NAWAC over coming months to develop a
comprehensive working plan for the phase out by 2015.
We welcome signals from the Government that there could be assistance for famers to help hasten changes and reduce costs
during the phase out period. We will be looking to the Government for concessions to help with this including the
encouragement of more consistency of the application of the Resource Management Act by local authorities, improved
access to skilled labour and ongoing R funding to assess new housing options.
We are hopeful that retailers will also support this initiative by moving to only stock gestation stall free pork
including imported pork products.
We are committed to collaborating closely with Government to help the industry to phase out gestation stalls over this
time-frame and are committed to playing our part to enable this to happen.
ENDS