The Government is introducing changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, raising welfare outcomes for pigs in New Zealand while providing farmers appropriate time to make the changes, Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare) Andrew Hoggard announced today.

But farmers are being given ample time to meet the new obligations:  they won’t take effect for 10 years.

The changes will set new requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls, and requirements for space for growing pigs.

Mr Hoggard said they will be among the highest standards in the world, demonstrating the importance New Zealanders place on animal welfare.

But because these are substantial changes, he said, the Government will give farmers sufficient time to prepare for them.and the new requirements will come into effect until 19 December 2035.

“This approach provides the sector with a realistic timeframe to make changes to their practices and farms adapting to the new requirements without disrupting domestic pork supply or putting undue pressure on pig farmers,” Mr Hoggard said.

Under the proposed new regulations:

• minimum spacing requirements for grower pigs will increase by 13.3 percent.
• the time sows are confined in farrowing crates will be reduced from a maximum of 33 days to seven days, and a requirement to provide manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours; and
• use of mating stalls will be limited to no more than three hours at a time, down from seven days.

This decision follows five years of consultation with industry, key stakeholders, veterinarians and the public.

“The proposed amended regulations aim to ensure New Zealand retains its reputation for high animal welfare outcomes, while making sure we keep a viable pig farming industry in New Zealand, and Kiwis have access to locally grown pork,” Mr Hoggard said.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise the costs for farmers. Nevertheless, many of these changes will require significant financial investment, infrastructure modification, and changes to practices on farm.”

The Code of Welfare for Pigs is currently being finalised and will be issued after the Amendment Bill is approved by Parliament to ensure alignment between the new requirements pig farmers will need to operate within.

“The approach of separating out the regulations and the Code of Welfare was the best way to replace the regulations that are set to automatically revoke on 18 December 2025, give the sector a realistic path to compliance, and uphold the welfare standards expected by New Zealanders,” Mr Hoggard said.

The changes that are proposed are as follows:

Source: Associate Minister of Agriculture