Farmers Send Clear Message: One Set of Rules for Everyone

Mar 30
2 min read

New Zealand's farming community is rallying behind a simple principle - if a practice isn't acceptable on a Kiwi farm, it shouldn't be acceptable on a Kiwi dinner table.

The Fair for Farmers campaign continued its momentum in March at the Central Districts Field Days in Feilding, where the rural community sent a clear message: New Zealand’s animal welfare standards must be upheld at the border.

Dairy, sheep, beef, and pork farmers stopped by the stand to share their stories, sign the open letter to party leaders, and send postcards to their MPs. The feedback was consistent — farmers are proud of the standards they uphold, but feel let down when the Government allows lower-standard imports to undermine their work.

Representing the movement was well-known dairy farmer Walt Cavendish, the voice behind "Farming with Walt". Walt and the rest of the team spent the three days engaging with hundreds of farmers who shared a common frustration - the double standard that allows imported products into New Zealand that would be illegal to produce on our own soil.

Standing Up for Fairness for Farmers

The campaign centres on a fundamental principle of fairness. For example, currently, over 60% of pork sold in New Zealand is imported, often from countries that permit farming practices long since banned here.

"This isn't about closing our borders to competition," Walt Cavendish explained to visitors. "It’s about integrity. We’ve worked hard as a country to establish stronger animal welfare standards. If we decide a practice isn't okay for a Kiwi farm, it shouldn't be okay for a Kiwi dinner table. We are simply asking for one set of rules for everyone."

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What do people think about the double standards?

Taking the Conversation to Decision-Makers

The campaign team also held productive and detailed discussions with several New Zealand First MPs, including: Mark Patterson, Andy Foster and Jamie Arbuckle.

These discussions focused on how New Zealand can practically and legally ensure that trade agreements respect our national welfare values. The MPs showed a keen interest in the campaign’s research and the strong mandate coming from their rural constituents.

In addition to NZ First, the team engaged with representatives from both the National and ACT parties.

A Rural Mandate

The feedback was consistent: farmers are proud of the standards, but they feel let down when the Government allows lower-standard imports to undermine their hard work. The sense of solidarity was palpable, with many noting that this is not just a "farming issue," but a "New Zealand value" issue.