Strong Farmer Support for Stopping Cruel Imports at NZ Agriculture Event

Animal Policy International gathered strong support from farmers and rural New Zealanders at the Central Districts Field Days last week, collecting over 750 signatures for the petition calling for imported animal products to meet New Zealand's welfare standards.

During the agricultural event in Feilding, farmers consistently expressed frustration about unfairness of imports from countries using farming practices banned in New Zealand. The issue of sow stalls for pigs, prohibited locally but still used in most countries that export pork to New Zealand, emerged as a particular concern among visitors.

"If we aren't allowed it in New Zealand, then we shouldn't be allowed it from other countries," said one farmer, echoing a common sentiment throughout the event. Another emphasised the economic impact: "It's leaving us at a disadvantage economically when the market's able to be flooded by countries that don't have the same standards as us."

What do rural Kiwis really think about Cruel Imports?

During the event, API Co-Executive Director Rainer Kravets  also discussed the issue with NZ First Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister for Agriculture Mark Patterson, National MPs Suze Redmayne and Carl Bates, former National MP Ian McKelvie, ACT Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) Andrew Hoggard, and ACT MP Mark Cameron, Chair of the Primary Production Select Committee.

Former MP Ian McKelvie captured the straightforward nature of the issue: "When we think about free trade, we should think about the fairness of free trade," adding that he doesn't consider this a complicated issue.

Former National MP Ian McKelvie with Rainer Kravets (API)

Animal Policy International information stand at Central Districts Field Days

Minister Mark Patterson with Rainer Kravets (API)

National MPs Carl Bates and Suze Redmayne with Rainer Kravets (API)

Minister Andrew Hoggard with Rainer Kravets (API)

Animal Policy International information stand at Central Districts Field Days

Suzanne Rex, Tyrone Barugh and Rainer Kravets at Animal Policy international information stand

Gregg and Salli from Federated Farmers with Rainer Kravets (API)

Animal Policy International information stand at Central Districts Field Days

At Animal Policy International's information stand, visitors engaged with educational materials including the "Closing the Welfare Gap" report, which details current disparities in animal welfare standards between New Zealand and its trading partners. Animal Policy International also shared their legal analysis demonstrating how import requirements are compatible with World Trade Organization rules.

The petition has now surpassed 8,700 signatures, reflecting growing public and industry support for closing the imports loophole. As one farmer put it: "Impose a law that every bit of meat that comes into New Zealand has met the same requirements as what's in New Zealand." And another person added: “Make it strict and across the board for everybody.” 

The petition to stop cruel imports is open for signatures until May 1st 2025.