Latest news with #SteveAbel
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Greens launch bill to stop animal cruelty through imported products
Green MP Steve Abel says he will be working in Parliament to get support for the bill. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The Green Party wants to stop animal cruelty from entering the country via imported products. Green MP Steve Abel has launched a Member's Bill aimed at closing a loophole that allows imported meat, eggs and other animal products to be sold in New Zealand - even if they're produced under conditions illegal here. The proposed bill would require imported products to meet the same animal welfare standards applied locally. Abel said New Zealand was a higher animal welfare standard for agriculture compared to other countries. "But a significant proportion of the animal products that we import are produced under standards that would not be legally or socially acceptable in New Zealand. "So for example 90 percent of pork imported to New Zealand in 2022 came from countries that allow the use of sow stalls which were prohibited here in 2016." Abel said he would now be working in Parliament to get support for the bill. Green MP Steve Abel. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Bill would require regulations regarding pigs and egg-laying hens to be in place within two years of coming into force. Coinciding with Abel's bill, a petition with more than 11,000 signatures was presented to Parliament on Tuesday to challenge import standards and asks for action on animal welfare in trade. Petitioner Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Auckland, specialises in animal law. He partnered with Animal Policy International to launch the petition. "We think that it's one of those rare issues that a lot of people can get behind and a lot of MPs should support. "It hasn't really been around for long, and we were really surprised and really glad with the amount of cross-sector support. "This is an issue that animal rights activists on one side could get behind, but also farmers can get behind as well because ultimately it's about upholding New Zealand values, ensuring that we are the best producers of animal products in the world. "It's also upholding farmers' interests because for too long they've had to compete with cheap and cruel imports from around the world and we just don't think that's right. "We don't think it's right by the animals, and we don't think it's right by the farmers as well." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Action Urged As New Bill And Petition Seek To Close Animal Imports Loophole
Press Release – Animal Policy International The petition, by animal law expert Associate Professor Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, was received by Labour MP Rachel Boyack, while Green MP Steve Abel announced the introduction of his bill, the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment … A new member's bill addressing the import of animal products was announced at Parliament today (6 May), alongside the delivery of a petition with over 11,000 signatures calling for imported animal products to meet local welfare standards. This powerful legislative proposal, backed by thousands of concerned citizens, creates momentum for change as New Zealand begins trade negotiations with India. The petition, by animal law expert Associate Professor Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, was received by Labour MP Rachel Boyack, while Green MP Steve Abel announced the introduction of his bill, the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill. National MP Grant McCallum alongside representatives from Animal Policy International, SPCA, SAFE, and farmer Walt Cavendish spoke at the event, providing diverse perspectives on the pressing need for reform. The timing could not be more critical as yesterday New Zealand formally began trade negotiations with India — where over 90% of hens remain in battery cages, a practice banned in New Zealand — highlighting the urgent need to address this inconsistency. Last year a report revealed that many animal products come from countries that allow practices like confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages, pregnant pigs in sow stalls, and live lamb cutting (mulesing) of sheep – all banned in New Zealand due to welfare issues but still used by major trading partners. During the event Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack emphasised the need for consistency in animal welfare standards: 'The petitioner raises a fair point that there are products sold on New Zealand shelves that are made in countries with lower animal welfare standards than ours. I commend the petitioner on bringing this petition to Parliament and look forward to it making its way through the select committee process for thorough consideration. Consumer preferences are changing, and New Zealand customers rightly expect that all products in our market, regardless of origin, meet New Zealand's animal welfare standards.' Steve Abel highlighted the ongoing issues with imports: 'It has been years since New Zealand took the principled decision to ban sow stalls due to the immense suffering they cause to mother pigs. Yet, we continue to import significant quantities of cruel pork each year, contributing directly to animal suffering worldwide and undercutting more ethical local producers. My 'closing the welfare gap' Bill will close this loophole. Every day we delay adds to the suffering of animals farmed overseas and sold in New Zealand, and disadvantages our local farmers.' In his address, Animal Policy International Co-Executive Director Rainer Kravets stressed the urgency: 'As New Zealand negotiates new trade agreements, the amount of cruel imports may rise further. The time is now to require imports to meet our standards: creating certainty and ensuring our standards are not traded away with each trade deal. Not only is this possible, it's the right thing to do – for animals, for our farmers and for New Zealanders who want truly better welfare for animals. The Government has a strong mandate to enact legislation with over 8o% of New Zealanders agreeing that imported products from outside New Zealand should respect the same animal welfare standards as those applied in New Zealand.' This situation also creates a competitive disadvantage for New Zealand farmers who must comply with local laws, while effectively allowing practices rejected by New Zealand voters to continue entering through imports. Walt Cavendish, a dairy farmer said, 'The welfare gap is growing with many imports not up to the high standards that consumers demand of their Kiwi Farmers, farmers are not able to compete on a level playing field and the high animal welfare standards are ignored on many imported products. Farmers and consumers deserve better and so do our livestock. If better is possible, good is never enough.' Debra Ashton, CEO from SAFE said, 'Whilst there are still many improvements to be made in New Zealand, it is hypocritical of us to be importing products from countries with lower welfare standards than our own. At the very least, our laws must extend also to imports. This is something both SAFE and farmers can agree on.' 'We know that New Zealanders care deeply about animal welfare, yet we continue to import products that are the result of cruelty that would be illegal here at home. Without swift action, imminent trade deals could further compromise New Zealand's values, standards and our global reputation. Animals deserve protection no matter where they are raised, and we urge the government to take action,' said Arnja Dale, Chief Scientific Officer at the SPCA. 'For Aotearoa, addressing this issue isn't something for the future—it requires immediate attention to maintain our integrity in animal welfare,' Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere said. 'We must act to close this welfare gap and stop cruel imports'.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Action Urged As New Bill And Petition Seek To Close Animal Imports Loophole
A new member's bill addressing the import of animal products was announced at Parliament today (6 May), alongside the delivery of a petition with over 11,000 signatures calling for imported animal products to meet local welfare standards. This powerful legislative proposal, backed by thousands of concerned citizens, creates momentum for change as New Zealand begins trade negotiations with India. The petition, by animal law expert Associate Professor Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere, was received by Labour MP Rachel Boyack, while Green MP Steve Abel announced the introduction of his bill, the Animal Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill. National MP Grant McCallum alongside representatives from Animal Policy International, SPCA, SAFE, and farmer Walt Cavendish spoke at the event, providing diverse perspectives on the pressing need for reform. The timing could not be more critical as yesterday New Zealand formally began trade negotiations with India — where over 90% of hens remain in battery cages, a practice banned in New Zealand — highlighting the urgent need to address this inconsistency. Last year a report revealed that many animal products come from countries that allow practices like confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages, pregnant pigs in sow stalls, and live lamb cutting (mulesing) of sheep - all banned in New Zealand due to welfare issues but still used by major trading partners. During the event Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack emphasised the need for consistency in animal welfare standards: "The petitioner raises a fair point that there are products sold on New Zealand shelves that are made in countries with lower animal welfare standards than ours. I commend the petitioner on bringing this petition to Parliament and look forward to it making its way through the select committee process for thorough consideration. Consumer preferences are changing, and New Zealand customers rightly expect that all products in our market, regardless of origin, meet New Zealand's animal welfare standards." Steve Abel highlighted the ongoing issues with imports: "It has been years since New Zealand took the principled decision to ban sow stalls due to the immense suffering they cause to mother pigs. Yet, we continue to import significant quantities of cruel pork each year, contributing directly to animal suffering worldwide and undercutting more ethical local producers. My 'closing the welfare gap' Bill will close this loophole. Every day we delay adds to the suffering of animals farmed overseas and sold in New Zealand, and disadvantages our local farmers." In his address, Animal Policy International Co-Executive Director Rainer Kravets stressed the urgency: "As New Zealand negotiates new trade agreements, the amount of cruel imports may rise further. The time is now to require imports to meet our standards: creating certainty and ensuring our standards are not traded away with each trade deal. Not only is this possible, it's the right thing to do - for animals, for our farmers and for New Zealanders who want truly better welfare for animals. The Government has a strong mandate to enact legislation with over 8o% of New Zealanders agreeing that imported products from outside New Zealand should respect the same animal welfare standards as those applied in New Zealand.' This situation also creates a competitive disadvantage for New Zealand farmers who must comply with local laws, while effectively allowing practices rejected by New Zealand voters to continue entering through imports. Walt Cavendish, a dairy farmer said, 'The welfare gap is growing with many imports not up to the high standards that consumers demand of their Kiwi Farmers, farmers are not able to compete on a level playing field and the high animal welfare standards are ignored on many imported products. Farmers and consumers deserve better and so do our livestock. If better is possible, good is never enough." Debra Ashton, CEO from SAFE said, 'Whilst there are still many improvements to be made in New Zealand, it is hypocritical of us to be importing products from countries with lower welfare standards than our own. At the very least, our laws must extend also to imports. This is something both SAFE and farmers can agree on.' 'We know that New Zealanders care deeply about animal welfare, yet we continue to import products that are the result of cruelty that would be illegal here at home. Without swift action, imminent trade deals could further compromise New Zealand's values, standards and our global reputation. Animals deserve protection no matter where they are raised, and we urge the government to take action," said Arnja Dale, Chief Scientific Officer at the SPCA. "For Aotearoa, addressing this issue isn't something for the future—it requires immediate attention to maintain our integrity in animal welfare," Marcelo Rodriguez Ferrere said. 'We must act to close this welfare gap and stop cruel imports'.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greens Launch Member's Bill To Close Loophole Allowing Animal Cruelty In Imports
Press Release – Green Party Currently, products which come from animals who have been kept or slaughtered in conditions which would be illegal here, like in sow stalls or battery cages, are still able to be imported and sold in our supermarkets, says Green Party Agriculture … Today, Green Party MP Steve Abel has added a new Member's Bill to the biscuit tin to ensure any product sold in New Zealand meets New Zealand's animal welfare standards, even if it's produced overseas. 'We shouldn't allow on our supermarket shelves what we wouldn't allow on our farms,' says Green Party Agriculture and Animal Welfare spokesperson, Steve Abel. 'This is about fairness for animals and for farmers. 'We're proud of our animal welfare laws here in New Zealand, but right now those laws have a glaring loophole. 'Currently, products which come from animals who have been kept or slaughtered in conditions which would be illegal here, like in sow stalls or battery cages, are still able to be imported and sold in our supermarkets. 'New Zealanders don't want to see our welfare values undermined by a loophole that allows cruelty to enter through the back door. 'My Bill will ensure that imported products meet the same basic standards we expect on our own farms. 'We can set a global standard that says robust animal welfare doesn't stop at our borders. 'New Zealanders have been clear that they don't want animals to suffer here or overseas. A recent poll showed that 83% of New Zealanders want the Government to act to align import standards with domestic laws. 'I will be working across the House to turn this Bill into law. 'If it's too cruel to produce here, it should be too cruel to sell here,' says Steve Abel. NOTES The Bill empowers the Minister to pass regulations to close the welfare gap on any imported animal product but requires that the Minister must make regulations regarding pigs and egg-laying hens within two years of this Bill coming into force. Most countries exporting to New Zealand have poor or lower animal welfare standards in comparison. For example: Sow stalls: Around 90% of pork imported into New Zealand comes from countries like Canada, United States and some European countries that allow the use of sow stalls, in which mother pigs are confined to narrow cages where they cannot perform basic behaviours, such as turn around or build nests. New Zealand banned sow stalls in 2016 after a public outcry. Battery cages: 86% of liquid egg imports in 2022 came from China and Australia where egg-laying hens can be kept in battery cages where there is less space than an A4 sheet of paper per bird leaving them unable to perform natural behaviour such as dust bathing and nesting. New Zealand's ban on battery cages came into force in 2023. Live lamb cutting (mulesing): All of the wool imported to New Zealand in 2022 came from Australia where live lamb cutting is a widely used practice. It entails removing parts of the skin from live sheep without anaesthetic, causing severe immediate and long-term pain to lambs. In New Zealand performing mulesing can result in a criminal conviction. Fish slaughter: 73% of fish imported into New Zealand comes from Thailand, China, Australia, and Vietnam – all countries with no welfare standards around slaughter. New Zealand has a Code of Welfare (Commercial Slaughter) 2018 that concerns aquatic animals at the time of slaughter.
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Greens Launch Member's Bill To Close Loophole Allowing Animal Cruelty In Imports
Today, Green Party MP Steve Abel has added a new Member's Bill to the biscuit tin to ensure any product sold in New Zealand meets New Zealand's animal welfare standards, even if it's produced overseas. 'We shouldn't allow on our supermarket shelves what we wouldn't allow on our farms,' says Green Party Agriculture and Animal Welfare spokesperson, Steve Abel. 'This is about fairness for animals and for farmers. 'We're proud of our animal welfare laws here in New Zealand, but right now those laws have a glaring loophole. 'Currently, products which come from animals who have been kept or slaughtered in conditions which would be illegal here, like in sow stalls or battery cages, are still able to be imported and sold in our supermarkets. 'New Zealanders don't want to see our welfare values undermined by a loophole that allows cruelty to enter through the back door. 'My Bill will ensure that imported products meet the same basic standards we expect on our own farms. 'We can set a global standard that says robust animal welfare doesn't stop at our borders. 'New Zealanders have been clear that they don't want animals to suffer here or overseas. A recent poll showed that 83% of New Zealanders want the Government to act to align import standards with domestic laws. 'I will be working across the House to turn this Bill into law. 'If it's too cruel to produce here, it should be too cruel to sell here,' says Steve Abel. The Bill empowers the Minister to pass regulations to close the welfare gap on any imported animal product but requires that the Minister must make regulations regarding pigs and egg-laying hens within two years of this Bill coming into force. Most countries exporting to New Zealand have poor or lower animal welfare standards in comparison. For example: Sow stalls: Around 90% of pork imported into New Zealand comes from countries like Canada, United States and some European countries that allow the use of sow stalls, in which mother pigs are confined to narrow cages where they cannot perform basic behaviours, such as turn around or build nests. New Zealand banned sow stalls in 2016 after a public outcry. Battery cages: 86% of liquid egg imports in 2022 came from China and Australia where egg-laying hens can be kept in battery cages where there is less space than an A4 sheet of paper per bird leaving them unable to perform natural behaviour such as dust bathing and nesting. New Zealand's ban on battery cages came into force in 2023. Live lamb cutting (mulesing): All of the wool imported to New Zealand in 2022 came from Australia where live lamb cutting is a widely used practice. It entails removing parts of the skin from live sheep without anaesthetic, causing severe immediate and long-term pain to lambs. In New Zealand performing mulesing can result in a criminal conviction. Fish slaughter: 73% of fish imported into New Zealand comes from Thailand, China, Australia, and Vietnam - all countries with no welfare standards around slaughter. New Zealand has a Code of Welfare (Commercial Slaughter) 2018 that concerns aquatic animals at the time of slaughter.
