Helping our pigs

VAWA submitted an extensive feedback document to NAWAC/MPI on the Code of Welfare | Pigs

We made the following introductory comments:

"... Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to both the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) during the review of the Code of Welfare | Pigs.

VAWA encourages NAWAC and MPI to ensure that any decisions made are Fit for a Better World,[1] and as much as can be determined, will withstand the scrutiny of animal welfare scientists and other experts, and of consumers in the short (<5years) to medium (6-15 years) term.

Many disruptions to food production are on the horizon, including constraints around energy availability. With this in mind, systems that are heavily reliant on infrastructure and energy inputs are likely to be most vulnerable (i.e. increased price of inputs (e.g. fodder; lighting; electricity; steel)). Those involved with such industries ought to think now about how to transition to systems that are less dependent on these inputs."

[1] Fit for A Better World

We hope that NAWAC and the Minister of Agriculture accept the feedback of experts like VAWA and take a strong stance to provide additional welfare protections for farmed pigs in Aotearoa.

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