Open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Assocaite Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard on the proposal to continue confining mother pigs in unlawful systems.

I strongly oppose the Governments proposal to allow the continued use of cruel farrowing crates and mating stalls in Aotearoa.

The use of these highly intensive and restrictive systems breaches New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999, which requires animals be given the opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour.

In 2020, the High Court ruled the regulations and minimum standards which allow farrowing crates to be unlawful. It was decided that these systems were to be banned by the end of 2025.

Proposing to allow the continued use of these systems, even for a limited time, is unacceptable and represents a serious step backward for animal welfare in New Zealand.

It is the Government’s responsibility to ensure the treatment of animals aligns with our Animal Welfare Act. Failing to do so is a serious breach of duty that will result in the continued and immeasurable suffering of pigs.

I urge you not to proceed with this proposal. Instead, please do the right thing and commit to phasing out the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls in Aotearoa entirely.