Right now, New Zealand farmers are playing by a different set of rules than the overseas corporations flooding our shelves.

• Pork: Over 60% of pork in NZ is imported. Much of it comes from the US and Canada, where sow stalls (metal crates that prevent mother pigs from even turning around) are still legal. We banned those here in 2016.

• Eggs: In 2023, over half of our liquid egg imports came from countries like China and Australia, where battery cages are still standard practice. NZ farmers moved away from battery cages in 2023 at significant personal cost.

• Wool: Nearly all wool imported to NZ in 2022 came from Australia, where mulesing (cutting skin from live lambs without anaesthetic) is common. In New Zealand, doing that can land you a criminal conviction.

The short answer: Barely. An independent analysis by Animal Policy International found that requiring imported pork to meet our welfare standards would cost the average Kiwi consumer just 25 cents per week. For a typical household, that’s about $0.66—roughly 0.22% of the weekly food shop. It’s a tiny price to pay to stop offshoring our industries to lower-standard competitors.

It levels the playing field. New Zealand farmers have led the way in animal welfare, but by allowing lower-standard imports to fill our shelves, we’re creating a 'welfare gap.' We should be supporting our local producers’ commitment to high standards, not forcing them to compete with practices that Kiwis have already rejected.

• Economic Boost: Research shows this policy could grow the domestic pork industry by up to 14.1%, adding between $17.2m and $29m to our economy every year.

• Certainty: It gives our farmers the confidence to invest in high-welfare systems knowing they won't be undercut by cheap, cruel imports.

Yes. We don't have to choose between trade and values.

• WTO Rules: The World Trade Organisation (GATT Article XX) specifically allows countries to restrict imports to protect "public morals." The landmark EC-Seal Products case proved that animal welfare is a valid moral ground for trade limits.

• Our FTAs: Legal experts have reviewed New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements and found no provisions that prevent us from holding imports to our own domestic welfare standards. If they have to follow our biosecurity rules, they should follow our welfare rules.

We wouldn't be the first. This is a growing global trend:

• California (Prop 12): A state law that bans the sale of pork or eggs from animals kept in cruel confinement—no matter where they were raised.

• The EU: They already require imported meat to meet their specific standards for slaughter and stunning.

• Global Bans: Many countries already ban the import of products like fur, foie gras, or animal-tested cosmetics on moral grounds.

It is highly unlikely. Trade experts and history show that setting fair standards for our own market is a recognized right, not a reason for a trade war.

• Exporters are already ready: A supply chain study by Animal Policy International found that major exporters (like those in the EU and Australia) already produce high-welfare pork and cage-free eggs for other markets. They don't need to change their whole system for us; they just need to send their "best" products to New Zealand to match our rules.

• No evidence of "tit-for-tat": We looked at history. When California passed Proposition 12 or when the EU banned imports of meat from animals not stunned before slaughter, there was no trade retaliation. Export volumes to those countries continued to grow as they always had.

• Fairness is a global trend: Countries all over the world are realizing that you can’t have high standards at home if you ignore them at the border. By making this move, New Zealand is simply joining a global shift toward Fair Trade that respects both the producer and the animal.

We are calling for a "Level Playing Field" law.

• The Bill: MP Steve Abel has already tabled a member's bill (the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill) that would empower the Minister to set these standards.

• The Goal: We want all political parties to commit to this common-sense policy. If it’s too cruel to produce in New Zealand, it should be too cruel to sell in New Zealand.

Common sense doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when we stand together. Whether you’re on the farm or in the city, this is about the standards we all want for New Zealand. If a practice is too cruel for our backyard, it shouldn't be on our dinner plates. We need a united front to close this welfare gap and ensure a future that is Fair for Farmers.

Here is how we win together:

• Sign the Open Letter: Help us reach our goal to show the Minister that New Zealand is united. Every signature sends a message that we value our local standards.

• Vote with Your Voice: This is an election year. Ask your local candidates if they commit to a "Level Playing Field" policy. Let them know this issue will influence your vote.

• Share the Message: Are you a producer being undercut, or a consumer frustrated by misleading labels? Your story is our most powerful tool. Share this campaign with your friends, family, and industry networks.

We have the facts, the legal path, and the public support. Now, we just need the numbers. Join us today and help make our trade laws reflect our values.