More than 3000 people have signed a petition calling for imported pork to meet the same animal welfare standards as pork produced here.
Piglets huddle at their mother's teats in an outdoor enclosure on a farm in Germany. Photo: AFP
Started by Frances Clement, a policy advisor to statutory industry board, NZ Pork, the petition was presented to parliament on Tuesday.
NZ Pork chief executive, Brent Kleiss said New Zealand's pork sector had high welfare standards compared to many other countries with less rigorous health, welfare and environmental regimes.
But over 60 percent of pork consumed in New Zealand was imported with most of it being produced in countries that farm pigs using practices that are illegal in this country he said.
"New Zealand pig farmers deserve a fair go so we believe its time that imported pork is required to meet our high standards."
Fresh meat in the chiller. Photo: 123rf
The petition followed the release of a draft code which will tighten the animal welfare code for local pig farmers.
Kleiss said New Zealand's standards were already much higher than the rest of the world and the proposed code would widen that gap even further.
"New Zealand imports pork from a range of countries including the United States, Spain, Canada and Poland. Overseas, some pig farmers routinely castrate all male piglets, often without pain relief," he said.
"In New Zealand, this procedure is rarely ever carried out, and if it is, only a veterinarian can do so and mandatory pain relief is required.
"It's time we back our own industry."
