8 July 2014

Labour Party Leads the Way against Factory Farming

If the nation’s factory farmed pigs could vote, the Labour party would be ruling the roost come this year’s election, says animal advocacy organisation SAFE.

Labour leader and animal welfare spokesperson MP Trevor Mallard made history yesterday by announcing that his party intends to end factory farming by 2017. Mr Mallard’s announcement is the first time Labour has publically announced an end date for all factory farming in New Zealand. SAFE says other parties are likely to follow given the level of public support on this issue. The announcement follows recent shocking conditions revealed on several separate pig farms, showing the horrific overcrowding of factory farming, neglect and physical abuse filmed via hidden camera.

“Labour’s commitment to ending factory farming is a fantastic result for the animals, and we expect it to have a significant impact on the cruel pig industry that is allowing animals to live in awful conditions.” says SAFE head of campaigns Mandy Carter.

In 2011, the National led government announced they will allow a cruel new form of factory farmed egg production known as colony cages. SAFE would like to see National follow Labour's lead and agree to a firm end date to all intensive farming systems in New Zealand.

Factory farming has been found to fail to meet the obligations of the Animal Welfare Act. In pig farming sows in farrowing crates cannot express normal behaviours- even those so basic as turning around. Public opposition is clear with nearly 20,000 people signing a petition to the PM in the last week.

“We are now inviting all political parties and in particular National and John Key, to pledge their opposition to factory farming. With the sheer level of public horror, it’s clear this issue could be a major one in the run up to the election and SAFE will be pushing for factory farming to be on the agenda.” says Mandy.

Labour, the Greens, Internet/Mana and United Future have all committed to ending factory farming by 2017.

ENDS

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