Will the ban on sow crates make you more likely to buy NZ pork?

9:12 AM Thursday Dec 2, 2010

Photo / NZ Open Rescue

Pig farmers are hoping New Zealanders will be willing to buy ham, pork and bacon made from locally farmed, happy pigs over cheaper imported products, following changes to welfare rules that are expected to push up prices.

Announcing the new Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code, which comes into effect tomorrow, Agriculture Minister David Carter said the public backlash over mistreatment of pigs had played a significant role in the decision to ban sow stalls in pig farming by December 2015.

Will the ban on sow crates make you more likely to buy NZ pork? Here is the latest selection of Your Views:

Soupy (Greenhithe) | 10:14AM Thursday, 02 Dec 2010

I stopped purchasing 'cruel pig meat' as soon as Mike King brought it to public attention, slowly, after no pork meals whatsoever (ie voting with my ethics)I sourced humanely reared and acceptable sources and have started to include the meat in my family's diet again.

The appalling length of time to rectify the present situation concers me hugely, so many excuses. Pig farmers who justify their actions, to delay the new humane changes for as long as possible, will hopefully come to realise the error of their ways and enter into a new conscienceness whereby profit is not the only factor to be considered.

Bella10 (New Zealand) | 10:14AM Thursday, 02 Dec 2010

100% Yes, My partner and I have definitly lowered our income to Pork, I only buy organic now becasue atleast I know where it has come from.

If New Zealand puts a ban on Sow crates I will definitly become loyal and buy more NZ pork

beestings (New Zealand) | 10:14AM Thursday, 02 Dec 2010

No but only because I don't eat pork. What a fantastic step forward by the NZ government, congratulations to all of you who fought hard for this what a great result.