The Government has passed its Bill to keep mother pigs in cruel cages for at least another 10 years.
"Today the Government has locked in cruelty for mother pigs and chosen pork lobbyists over public sentiment and welfare evidence," says the Green Party's animal welfare spokesperson, Steve Abel.
"The phase out of farrowing crates should have been legislated today but Luxon's Government has instead legalised 10 more years of misery for mother pigs and their piglets.
"New Zealanders don't want to see pigs in cages. 89% of submissions opposed the farrowing crates Bill and polls show over 66% of us want to see a complete phase out of farrowing cages because New Zealanders recognise they are cruel and inhumane.
"This Bill was written hand-in-hand with the pork industry, while advice from independent experts was ignored and animal welfare organisations were excluded.
"In 2020, the High Court ruled that the farrowing crate regulations were illegal, as the use of farrowing crates was incompatible with the Animal Welfare Act. The only reason this Bill was rushed through the House was to protect cruel practices from legal challenge.
"Around the world, pig farmers are abandoning farrowing crates in favour of free-farrowing systems that instead allow mother pigs to turn around, build a nest, and bond with their piglets.
"Mother pigs should be allowed to exhibit their natural nesting behaviours, and nurse their piglets free from sores, boredom, pain, and distress.
"A Green Government will prohibit the use of farrowing crates and ensure that all animals can live a good life," says Steve Abel.
