Caged hogwash

A 'science summary' contradicting our animal welfare advisory agency is being used to justify a law change.

- BY ANDREA GRAVES

Sows kept within iron bars can't take a step, build a nest to give birth in, or turn to nuzzle their piglets. The National Animal Welfare Committee (Nawac) – the independent group legislated to advise the minister responsible for animal welfare – has always said farrowing crates fail to allow normal behaviours as required under the Animal Welfare Act.

The bars confine sows while they give birth and suckle their piglets, in order to reduce piglet-crushing. After a legal challenge, the High Court in 2020 ruled these farrowing crates were unlawful and the then-Labour government set a December 2025 deadline to end their use.

Now, Parliament is set to approve Animal Welfare Act amendments stating crates are and “always have been” lawful. Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard proposed this, backed by a science summary from the Ministry for Primary Industries that contradicts Nawac.

Eight animal welfare experts the Listener spoke to, including university scientists, veterinarians and former Nawac members, described the summary as “appalling”, “incomprehensible” and “biased”.