Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Farming groups raise concerns about animal welfare bill

Updated at 5:55 am on 28 March 2010

The pork industry body wants assurances from the Government that proposed changes to animal welfare laws will not allow animal rights activists to prosecute pig farmers who use sow stalls.

The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, which raises the penalties for animal cruelty, is being considered by the Primary Production Select Committee.

The bill calls for an increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from three to five years.

Pork Industry Board chief executive Sam McIvor has told the committee that his organisation is concerned activists may attempt to prosecute farmers based on their philosophical opposition to the use of sow stalls.

Federated Farmers also made a submission to the committee, saying it thinks a proposed offence of reckless ill-treatment of animals is unnecessary.

It says this could unwittingly put many farmers at risk of being prosecuted for using practices that are regarded as acceptable during the course of their normal farming duties.

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand