New Zealand’s pork sector is concerned greater volumes of imported pork produced using practices that are illegal in this country will flood the market in the wake of the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Pork imported from Europe is currently subject to tariffs of up to five per cent, however these will be eliminated following the ratification of the FTA.
Much of the pork produced in countries such as Spain and Poland comes from farms using practices that are banned in New Zealand.
Increased volumes of imported pork will also come from European countries where deadly pig diseases such as African Swine Fever are present, raising fears of a possible outbreak in New Zealand arising from imported product.
“This FTA will come at a real cost to New Zealand pig farmers and that’s really disappointing,” says Brent Kleiss, chief executive of NZPork.
“More than 60 per cent of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported and the removal of tariffs on imported countries will inevitably see this rise further.
“Kiwis also need to be aware that some of the pig farming practices in Europe are banned in New Zealand. For example, the EU allows gestation stalls for the first 28 days of a sow’s pregnancy.
“Overseas, some pig farmers routinely castrate all male piglets, often without pain relief. In New Zealand, this procedure is only ever carried out in rare circumstances, and then only under veterinarian supervision with mandatory pain relief.
“We find this FTA difficult to reconcile with the government’s stated ambitions for animal welfare in New Zealand.”
New Zealand’s commercial pig herd also has a high health status and is not affected by diseases such as African Swine Fever that are having a very serious impact on pork industries in the EU, says Mr Kleiss.
“African Swine Fever is not the only disease risking the health of our pigs, but it’s one of the most virulent.
“While it poses no risk to humans, this highly contagious viral disease has a major impact on the health and welfare of domestic and wild pigs and is often fatal to them.
“It’s spread through Europe and if it were to arrive in New Zealand, it would be devastating to our pig herd, pig welfare and the livelihoods of farmers.”
The New Zealand pork industry is already concerned government proposals to dramatically change pig farming will lead to poorer welfare outcomes and pig farmers leaving the industry.
The draft welfare code could result in the deaths of thousands of additional piglets, pig farms shutting down, force Kiwis to rely on even more imported pork and put the price of New Zealand born and raised pork out of the reach of many consumers.
The draft code, which goes well beyond the welfare requirements in other countries, includes colossal changes to the minimum space allowance required for grower pigs, a ban or significant limitation on the traditional use of farrowing systems (farrowing crates), an effective ban on mating stalls and sets a minimum weaning age of 28 days for piglets.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact:
Brent Kleiss
027 807 4418
[email protected]
