NAWAC review of pig crates

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is reviewing standards on farrowing crates and mating stalls for pigs. Read about the progress of this work.

NAWAC is reviewing pig crate standards

The High Court declared in November 2020 that the standards on farrowing crates and mating stalls for pigs are unlawful and invalid. NAWAC is reviewing the current science, global best practice, and regulation of farrowing and mating systems for pigs. NAWAC will advise the Minister responsible for animal welfare on the farming system changes needed to protect sow and piglet welfare by May 2021.

A subcommittee has been formed to review the animal welfare performance of available farrowing systems to identify those systems that align with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999. They meet regularly, hear from expert speakers, and make farm visits.

A working group has also been formed to review the remainder of the code of welfare for pigs, so that a comprehensive package of amendments to the standards for pig welfare can be publicly consulted on in mid-2021.

NAWAC Pigs Subcommittee Terms of Reference pdf 153KB

NAWAC pig subcommittee meeting summaries

2021

15 April pdf 114KB 18 March pdf 156KB 16 March pdf 142KB 15 March pdf 155KB 11 March (8pm to 8.57pm) pdf 136KB 11 March pdf 107KB 10 March pdf 119KB 9 March pdf 117KB 26 February pdf 135KB 25 February pdf 141KB 18 February pdf 114KB 16 February pdf 145KB 10 February pdf 118KB 22 January pdf 116KB 19 January pdf 117KB 15 January pdf 126KB 12 January pdf 116KB

2020

16 December (9pm to 10.30pm) pdf 108KB 16 December (9am to 5.15pm) pdf 175KB 15 December pdf 144KB

Who to contact

If you have any questions about NAWAC, email nawac@mpi.govt.nz

Last reviewed: 24 Nov 2021