Successful Fair for Farmers Campaign Launch at Northland Field Days

20 hours ago
2 min read

The Fair for Farmers campaign took its message to the heart of the Northland agricultural community, launching at the Northland Field Days in Dargaville. Farmers from across the region turned out to support the call for the Government to ensure that imported food is required to be produced to the same high animal welfare standards required of Kiwi farmers.

The Fair for Farmers campaign was officially launched at the event, bringing together a powerful coalition of dairy, pork, beef, and sheep farmers to challenge the "double standard" of New Zealand’s current import rules.

For years, Kiwi farmers have been following some stricter animal welfare standards. and the message was clear: these high standards are being undermined by a flood of low-standard imports from countries that still use farming practices already banned in New Zealand.

A Growing Movement for Fairness

The campaign has a simple, common-sense ask: If it is not okay to produce it on a New Zealand farm, it shouldn't be okay to sell it in a New Zealand supermarket or shop. "We aren't asking for special treatment," says Walt Cavendish, a Waikato dairy farmer and campaign spokesperson. "We are simply asking for a level playing field. It’s a matter of fairness—not just for the farmers who invest heavily in high-welfare systems, but for the animals and the Kiwi consumers who deserve to know that the food on their shelves meets the values we hold as a country."

Political Engagement

The team spent the event engaging with representatives from across the political spectrum. Conversations with MPs and trade spokespeople from various parties highlighted a growing awareness of the issue.

While some discussions centered on the complexities of international trade agreements, the team provided evidence showing that animal welfare standards can be legally integrated into trade policy. The general takeaway from these meetings was a sense of cautious interest, with several officials requesting further research and briefings on how to implement a "level playing field" policy.

Strong Community Support

Throughout the event, hundreds of farmers and rural supporters visited the Fair for Farmers stand and expressed their support for this common sense policy proposal.

Many participants took direct action, signing postcards addressed to party leaders. The message resonated deeply: New Zealanders are proud of their world-class standards, but they are tired of seeing local producers "thrown under the bus" by inconsistent regulations.

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What do people think about the double standards?

Media Attention

The launch sparked significant interest from national and agricultural media. Outlets including The Post, Farmers Weekly, RNZ, and The Country covered the campaign, reflecting a growing national conversation about the "welfare gap" in our imports.

The campaign's momentum is also surging online, with social media posts from farmer advocates garnering hundreds of comments and shares, proving that this is a priority issue for us rural New Zealanders.