Animal Welfare

nature and climate

Overwhelming farmer support for equal welfare standards for pork imports

The Green Party says a new poll has found strong farmer support for fairer import standards for animal products, consistent with the intent of a Member's Bill from Green MP Steve Abel. The Curia poll released today by Animal Policy International found 79 per cent of farmers agree that imported animal products should be required to meet New Zealand's animal welfare standards, while only 10 per cent disagree.  "It's great to see the strong farmer support for closing the welfare gap and ensuring...

Posted at May 06, 2026 9:36 AM by Steve Abel

nature and climate

Cancellation of live exports a win for Animals

The Green Party is claiming a win for animals, following the Luxon Government's confirmation that they have cancelled plans to reinstate the live export of animals at sea.Plans to resume the trade in live animals by sea was part of the National and Act coalition agreement, however the frequently endorsed intention has been scrapped at cabinet, according to Animal Welfare Minister Andrew Hoggard, who said “we needed to get everyone on board to take it forward and haven’t achieved that.”...

Posted at March 13, 2026 5:56 PM by Steve Abel

nature and climate

Pig cruelty won’t stand under Green Government

The Government has passed its Bill to keep mother pigs in cruel cages for at least another 10 years.“Today the Government has locked in cruelty for mother pigs and chosen pork lobbyists over public sentiment and welfare evidence," says the Green Party’s animal welfare spokesperson, Steve Abel. “The phase out of farrowing crates should have been legislated today but Luxon’s Government has instead legalised 10 more years of misery for mother pigs and their piglets. “New Zealanders don’t want to...

Posted at December 12, 2025 4:10 PM by Steve Abel

nature and climate

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...

Posted at May 06, 2025 8:50 AM by Steve Abel

nature and climate

Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”

The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. “This decision is cruel and cuts against the grain of our values as a nation,” says the Green Party’s Animal Welfare spokesperson, Steve Abel. “Animals deserve a life free from suffering. Harmful practices that put profit ahead of their welfare are unacceptable. “The reality is that live export, by its nature, cannot uphold any such standards, and this move contravenes both the spirit and the letter of New...

Posted at November 20, 2024 6:16 PM by Steve Abel

nature and climate

Racing Minister gambling with dogs’ lives in unnecessary and self-imposed delay

The Green Party is concerned with reports that the Racing Minister is kicking decisions on the future of greyhound racing until after the election.“This is a bizarre concession to an industry who’ve spent the past ten years persistently failing to meet animal welfare standards,” says Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick. “As long as the greyhound racing industry continues, dogs will unnecessarily die and be injured. These deaths and injuries are not a bug, they are a design feature....

Posted at April 20, 2023 1:09 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick