NZ Pork media release, 31 March 2020
Animal welfare crisis if independent butchers remain excluded from essential business list
The Government’s decision to exclude independent butchers from the essential business list will cause an animal welfare crisis in the New Zealand pork sector. All independent butchers across the country have been classified as non-essential businesses and been forced to close as part of the Alert Level 4 lock-down for COVID-19. However, the decision will likely result in the pork sector having no place to house up to 5,000 surplus pigs on farm every week.
“By not being able to sell fresh carcass pigs to the independent butchers and other segments, we will be faced with a significant animal welfare issue,” says David Baines, Chief Executive of NZ Pork.
“It’s very simple. There is no capacity to hold surplus pigs on farm. Commercial farms typically supply pigs to market on a weekly basis and do not carry spare holding capacity. Overcrowding of pigs in pens would quickly constitute a significant welfare issue under the animal welfare code. Wholesalers do not have the capacity to process and freeze the surplus volumes. Freezing carcasses is also not a complete option to the surplus volume, due to the limited blast freezer and storage capacity.”
New Zealand-produced pigs could be offered to manufacturers as a substitute to imported products but most manufacturers now use imported product and do not operate boning rooms or employ staff to process the additional NZ pigs.
"Reduced production capacity due to measures designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has reduced normal boning room throughputs," says Mr Baines.
Closure of independent butchers has eliminated them as a potential part of an alternative boning solution.
“Ultimately, wholesalers and processors will have no option but to leave as many as 5,000 pigs on farm each week and this will result in an animal welfare crisis. We believe adding independent butchers and large food retailers to the essential businesses list would be a pragmatic and sensible decision and be consistent with the Government’s decision to classify the production and distribution of food as an essential service. Like dairies, independent butchers can take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
"NZ Pork has been in talks with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) about the situation and been advised the Minister is seriously considering the issue," says Mr Baines.
“MPI clearly understands the urgency and importance of the issue, but we need a decision from the Government now. Meanwhile, NZ Pork is encouraging Kiwis to support New Zealand farmers by eating New Zealand-produced pork. Approximately 62% of New Zealand’s pork consumption is imported with around 85% of this imported pork further processed. None of the pork imported into New Zealand is from countries whose production practices meet New Zealand’s legal requirements in all respects. It’s important Kiwis know that by paying a premium for home-grown pork, they’re getting a cut above the rest.”
Chris Bristol
027 733 0043
chris.bristol@pork.co.nz