83% say animal welfare standards should apply to imported food

Animal Policy International has released results of Horizon polling on whether or not imported food products should respect the animal welfare standards applying in New Zealand.

Animal Policy International says:

People in New Zealand put significant value on animal welfare. An MPI survey from 2017 showed that for an overwhelming 95% of New Zealanders, it is important that the welfare of farmed animals in New Zealand is protected.

A similar result was replicated in June 2023 when a poll from Horizon Research showed the following findings:

• 90% of people think it is important to protect the welfare of farmed animals in New Zealand
• 83% of New Zealanders agree that imported products from outside New Zealand should respect the same animal welfare standards as those applied in New Zealand
• 71% of people agree that the New Zealand government should do more to promote a greater awareness of farmed animal welfare internationally.

Pigs Animals used in farming are protected by the Animal Welfare Act 1999, including the general anti-cruelty and duty of care provisions. Specific sections address surgical procedures and transport and there are codes of welfare.

New Zealand has received a rating of C for protecting farmed animals on the global 2023 Animal Protection Index, importing animal products from countries with lower ratings, such as China (G), Thailand (F), the USA (E), and Australia (E).

Animal Policy says it is crucial to continue advancing and improving animal welfare, such as the tabled ban on the current use of farrowing crates, while also ensuring that the same improvements are applied to imports.