New Zealand Pig Farmers Face Major Changes Under Government's New Animal Welfare Proposals

3 October 2025

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The proposals released by the Government substantially increase the requirements on farmers to meet animal welfare standards, while also ensuring the New Zealand pork sector remains viable, says NZPork.

“Farmers have faced five years of uncertainty waiting for a decision on pig welfare standards,” says Brent Kleiss, NZPork chief executive.

“These proposals bring clarity, but also major practical challenges and significant costs. While the ten-year transition period provides farmers with time to adapt to the new requirements, it will still involve considerable on-farm investment and change.”

The Government’s proposed reforms include moving to pen-based farrowing systems with short term/temporary confinement in crates, providing sows with nesting opportunities before giving birth, and banning continuous confinement in mating stalls. Increased space allowances for growing pigs are also proposed.

Mr Kleiss says farrowing crates are the maternity ward for sows.

“They provide piglet protection during the most vulnerable days of a piglet’s life and are specifically designed and proven to significantly reduce the main causes of piglet deaths such as starvation, hypothermia and being accidentally crushed by the sow.”

Research shows that the use of farrowing crates for a brief time strikes a balance between piglet welfare and sow welfare. It means New Zealand will have some of the highest welfare standards in the world.

“It has been five long years of limbo and uncertainty, and over that time, it’s likely we have lost farmers from the industry who couldn’t wait any longer,” says Mr Kleiss.

“While they’ve waited, the cost of making changes on farm has significantly increased. We’re pleased the Bill takes steps to put an end to this.”

Maintaining a viable domestic pork sector in New Zealand is critical, he says.

“Our farmers are committed to raising healthy animals and providing Kiwi families with an affordable, high-quality protein. New Zealand must ensure a level playing field against the flood of imported pork, much of which is produced using practices that are already illegal here.”

Mr Kleiss says while the Bill provides some certainty for farmers, it is not the final step.

“We are still awaiting the full code of welfare for pigs, as it’s likely to include additional new and more immediate standards.  

“From there, farmers will be able to properly assess the entire scale of required change on their individual farms. In the meantime, we will continue to work constructively with Government and officials on the detail of the proposals to achieve the best outcomes for both pigs and farmers.”