New Rules For Welfare Of Pigs On Farms - In 10 Years

Saturday, 4 October 2025, 6:07 pm
Article: RNZ

Lillian Hanly, Political reporter

Welfare requirements for pig farming are going to be strengthened to some of the highest levels in the world, says the animal welfare minister.

The changes set new requirements for the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls, as well as requirements for space to grow pigs, but they will not come into force until the end of 2035.

Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard said that was so farmers had sufficient time to prepare.

"This approach provides the sector with a realistic timeframe to make changes to their practices and farms adapting to the new requirements without disrupting domestic pork supply or putting undue pressure on pig farmers," said Hoggard.

The new regulations include:

• Minimum spacing requirements for grower pigs will increase by 13.3 percent
• The time sows are confined in farrowing crates will be reduced from a maximum of 33 days to seven days, and a requirement to provide manipulable and deformable materials to enable farrowing sows to engage in nest-building behaviours
• use of mating stalls will be limited to no more than three hours at a time, down from seven days.

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