Dr Michael Morris Animal welfare writer nzchas.canterbury

The news that sow crates will be phased out over the next five years is a victory for science and for common sense. The National Animal Advisory Committee has strongly signalled in its report that they would also like to see an end to farrowing crates.

While the glacial speed at which regulatory agencies move is distressing, there has at least been some improvement, motivated no doubt by public awareness of conditions in piggeries.

Before everyone breathes a sigh of relief and rushes off for a guilt-free binge on bacon, a few points need to be made. Firstly, sows will continue to languish in stalls until 2015, so those buying their Christmas ham this year are still buying into cruelty. Secondly, while New Zealand pork will be subject to the 2015 ban on sow crates, much processed meat comes from overseas, where the environmental regulations are lax, and animal welfare standards non-existent. It is ironic that after bitterly and acrimoniously opposing any welfare changes, the NZ Pork Board and the animal welfare movement now want the same thing; clear country of origin labelling to differentiate where pig meat comes from.

The issue of imported pork highlights a more general problem with making improvements on animal (or human) welfare. The New Zealand government places restrictions on our own producers to comply with conditions we find acceptable, while overseas companies do as they please, and undercut local produce. This is thanks largely to so-called ‘free trade' agreements that prevent restrictions on imports, and their enforcement body, the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

According to international lawyers, exceptions to the WTO rules can be made where ‘public morals' are involved, including public attitudes to animal abuse. However, challenging the WTO is difficult, and the government may lack political will. Until sow stalls are outlawed completely, and less humane imported products are either banned or labelled clearly, the best way to ensure a cruelty free Christmas is to steer away from the Christmas ham and try some of the delicious and healthy non-meat alternatives. Pig farmers in New Zealand and overseas will stop using crates and stalls if we stop buying their products.