Same shelves, different rules - and it's time to fix it

Everyone's been talking about the Fair for Farmers campaign this past week. Some people even looked us up on LinkedIn. Now we’ve got to know each other - let’s talk about the ball, not the man.

The problem 

Over 60% of pork sold in New Zealand is imported, around 90% of it from countries where sow stalls are still legal. New Zealand banned sow stalls a decade ago. Battery cages became illegal in 2023. Yet products from both systems are still on our shelves every week, undermining the standards Kiwi farmers are required to meet.

Pig and egg farmers did what was asked of them. Their reward is competing against imports that don't have to play by the same rules.

NZ Pork has been raising this issue for years. Over 80% of New Zealanders support applying domestic welfare standards to imports. A member's bill is in Parliament. The legal basis under WTO rules is well established. California has done it. The EU is heading the same way.

What Fair for Farmers is asking for

One thing: that imported animal products meet the same welfare standards New Zealand already applies to its own producers. That's it.

This policy is legal. It's popular. It has international precedent. And it would benefit Kiwi farmers directly - economic modelling suggests it could grow domestic pork industry output by $17–29 million. 

The cost to consumers? Twenty-five cents per person per week.

The evidence

Animal Policy International has published trade data, independent legal opinions, supply chain analysis, and nationally representative polling. No finding has been seriously challenged on its substance. Concerns about trade retaliation are addressed in detail in our published research. 

To date, no alternative proposal has been put forward for how to address the double standard facing farmers.

Get involved

This issue is about whether New Zealand's welfare standards mean something at the border, or whether they only apply to the farmers producing here. Over 80% of the public supports action. NZ Pork supports it. Farmers across the country support it.

It’s a no brainer.

If you want to back Kiwi farmers, sign the open letter. 

If you have questions about the campaign, get in touch at hello@fairforfarmers.nz