15 November 2002

Vote National - for battery cages and sow crates

Would such an election slogan really surprise anyone these days?

Green MP Sue Kedgley today said a campaign by National MP Shane Ardern against an SPCA drive to ban sow crates and battery cages was further proof of how hopelessly out of touch National was with the public.

Speaking yesterday during the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, which further delays new codes of animal welfare, Mr Ardern promised to continue opposing the SPCA's postcard campaigns against battery farming.

"Whoever is picking National's campaign issues must be determined to finally sink the party once and for all," said Ms Kedgley.

"Around 90 per cent of New Zealanders want to see battery cages banned and over 100,000 people have filled out the SPCA submission cards calling for this.

"Mr Ardern's 'campaign' seems designed to lose the party what support it currently has."

Ms Kedgley said she was looking forward to Mr Ardern and Bill English hosting a media tour of some large battery chicken farms to highlight to voters the kind of industries and practices they were supporting.

"I can't think of a single less popular issue that National could choose to campaign on. Like most New Zealanders I am surprised at National's strategic decision making, but hope Mr Ardern will issue a press statement today distancing himself from yesterday's comments," she said.

Ms Kedgley said it was astonishing that the National Party was choosing to so strongly and publicly align itself with industries that caused millions of animals to endure lives of suffering in cages.

"Just who does National think it is representing here?" she asked.

ENDS

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