SO WHAT'S CHANGED IN THE CODE FOR PIGS?The most defining change of the draft code is the way in which it has been written. Instead of specifying minimum sow or farrowing crate sizes that pig farmers must legally adhere to, it is replaced with more generalised comments regarding the animals' physical and behavioural requirements. "The draft code is now outcome-based rather than a prescriptive code, which could well see animals being kept in even more cramped conditions than they already are," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek. One redeeming point is an acknowledgment from NAWAC that sow stalls must be phased out. 
"SAFE welcomes NAWAC's position to ban the use of sow stalls, but believes their other recommendations within the draft code fall well short of providing adequate protection for pigs, particularly concerning farrowing crates," says Hans. "Allowing the ongoing severe confinement of sows is against the principles of the Animal Welfare Act, and it is appalling that NAWAC has made no recommendations that would lead to an eventual phase out of farrowing crates. If the draft code becomes law, then a very miserable picture would unfold with sows still being confined to crates for many years to come. I do not believe that this situation is acceptable to most New Zealanders." "The only good news is that the draft code spells an end to the use of sow stalls. The pig industry has known for years that pig crates breach the law, and NAWAC announced back in 2004 that it wanted to see sow and farrowing crates phased out. After years of campaigning against sow stalls this is a positive development, but the ban is still many years off and we must not forget that thousands of pigs will remain in crates until then," says Hans. 
Get active in your area
SAFE centres around the country are planning stalls and actions for the pig campaign to draw attention to the code review process. If you are keen to get involved, check out events in your area or email sacha@safe.org.nz. | | Why the code must change • For the next three years thousands of sows will continue to suffer in sow and farrowing crates for their entire lives. • From 2013 sows can be confined in sow and farrowing crates for up to 20 weeks per year until 2018. • From 1 January 2018 confinement to farrowing crates would still be legal for around 10 weeks per year. • Sow stalls will not be banned until January 2018. • No change to the way pigs are reared in fattening pens. • The removal of specified minimum sizes of sow and farrowing crates. • The removal of specified stocking densities that determine the number of pigs reared inside per (fattening) pen. Help the pigs!1) Send an e-card to have your say against pig cruelty.
2) Message John Key to tell the PM why you're opposed to factory farming. 3) Write a detailed submission to NAWAC condemning the ongoing use of farrowing crates and the slow phase out of sow stalls. 4) Make a donation to SAFE to support the campaign.
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