The use of sow stalls on New Zealand pig farms is to be phased out over the next four years.
Agriculture Minister David Carter today released the Animal Welfare Code of Welfare 2010 which will come into effect on Friday.
In the code, the use of sow crates is to be limited to four weeks after mating in 2012 and prohibited by the end of 2015.
“The growing unease of many New Zealanders about the use of sow stalls, which I share, made it clear that change was necessary; the science also supports this,” Mr Carter says.
“The reality is, worldwide there is increasing opposition to highly intensive systems of pig farming and New Zealand has a role to play in leading the way.”
Dry sow stalls are currently used in most countries – including the US, Canada and most of the European Union – but the Australian pork industry has recently voted to phase out the sow stalls by 2017.
The new code calls for the use of sow stalls after mating to be limited to four weeks by December 3, 2012, and a complete prohibition by December 3, 2015.
Mr Carter says the five year phases out will allow farmers to change their production systems and train staff in new management skills.
“While the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee believes that the use of farrowing crates should also be phased out, it recognises this can only happen when alternative management systems and technologies are in place,” says Mr Carter.
“These must take the welfare of sows and piglets into account, and must also allow our pork producers to remain competitive.”
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