Pigs, crates and conflict

Postscript: pigs not in space, but crates, for ever.

Following the 2020 judicial review of farrowing crate regulations that found them to be unlawful and invalid, the then Labour Government passed interim regulations to give farmers five years to transition away from crate use. At the end of that specified period, little progress had been made, meaning no further extensions could be given. That left the National government and pig farmers in a pickle: no progress made, no legal avenues available.

NAWAC’s longstanding expert opinion is that farrowing crates are non-compliant with the purposes of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. As the law stood (until 16 December 2025) use must therefore be discontinued. With no transition progress made, and given NAWAC's position, any further regulation was likely to be challenged via another judicial review.

In a move egregious to the principles of good lawmaking, the National government passed the Animal Welfare (Regulations for Management of Pigs) Amendment Act 2025 which perpetuated crate use. Abuse of legislative power in this manner is undemocratic and highly irregular – both are matters of serious concern in a free and democratic society.

Managing Director Dr. Helen Beattie told the Primary Production Select Committee the legislation is,

"... frankly ... an indictment on the MPs who are prepared to support this. It will be quite a legacy to have on your CVs, that this is a piece of legislation that you would choose to support."

Read VAWA's submission here

Code of Welfare | Pigs Consultation 2022

Following the judicial review, it was necessary to review the 2022 Code of Welfare | Pigs. The review caused a ferocious response from parts of the pig farming community, while other pig farmers are not getting much of a platform.

Read VAWA's submission here

Bottom line: farrowing crates have to go (they do not meet minimum requirements of the Act); systems' change is hard; farmers may need support.

Supporting our farmed animals' welfare (both physical and emotional) is the way to protect our farming industries.

Media

VAWA was delighted to be able to have an in depth chat about how we got to where we are with farrowing crates.

Listen to The Detail here

Other media included lots of support on Twitter and in interview with Andy Thompson on The Rural Round Up.

The Animal Welfare Collaborative (@LetsTAWC) shared our Podcast too (check out the Podcasts and Presentations section). The Animal Welfare Collaborative (TAWC) is a university-led, society-wide network dedicated to improving the welfare of animals through collective action. We are delighted to be included in their July Snapshot.

In addition to media, along with other advocates, VAWA attended an MPI-led meeting in Wellington on the draft Pigs’ Code. All except one of the participants were well aligned and advocating for better animal welfare, rather than the economic imperative, and as a result NAWAC heard a strong alignment for the changes they are proposing that improve pigs’ welfare.

#farming#change#animalwelfare#sentience