Despite New Zealand’s illusion of an ethical pork industry, there are some ugly truths behind the practices of factory pig farming.

A number of pig farms within New Zealand are intensive (large numbers of animals raised on limited land), cruel and solely focused on profit. This means pigs are forced into horrendous conditions of cramped, dark stalls, surrounded by faeces and even bodies of dead pigs. There have been cases where the pigs have been subject to beatings for no reason and docking of their tails with no anesthetic. Narrow farrowing crates are still used, a huge contrast to pig’s natural instinct to forage and socialize in the wild.

Pigs are said to one of the most intelligent and self aware animals on the planet. They are capable of recognizing positive and negative emotions and have the cognitive skills of a three year old. In bad environments like these farms, they display signs of anxiety and can develop depression like humans.

We believe these farms and their regulations must be questioned and changed, all with the help of the public. This petition will be sent to the Ministry Of Primary Industries whose Animal Welfare Act states that farms, “Have to meet an animal's physical, health and behavioural needs, and must alleviate pain or distress.”

It is clear that Factory Pig Farming in New Zealand does not heed to this act with their continuation of these unethical operations. We need your signature to challenge the Ministry of Primary Industries to enforce this act fully throughout all pig farms in New Zealand.

(Photo Source-  FarmWatch NZ)