A proposed code for pig welfare recommends limiting the time pigs spend in crates while pregnant and after giving birth to litters.
The draft code released by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) also recommends banning all other use of stalls, possibly within seven years.
The Pork Industry Board says the proposals could risk putting some farmers out of business, and any changes must not jeopardise farmers' livelihood.
Chief executive Sam McIvor says one of the critical issues is that 45% of pork consumed by New Zealanders is imported, and is not required to meet New Zealand welfare standards.
"Consumers have certainly emphasised to us that they want locally-grown product, so a viable local pork industry is also important to them."
However, the group Save Animals from Exploitation says the code doesn't go far enough and all crates should be banned immediately.
Ban on sow crates no supported
NAWAC says while it wants to ban the use of sow-crates by 2017, it's still a long way off getting the support of the industry.
The draft code brings forward the date restricting the use of farrowing crates to four weeks post-farrowing, from 2015 to when the code is likely to take effect, later this year.
It also limits the use of dry sow stalls to four weeks after mating, which would take effect in 2013.
NAWAC chairman John Hellstrom says the big challenge will be getting industry agreement to phase out the use of those stalls and crates altogether, and finding viable alternative management systems that improve the pigs' welfare overall.
"We felt that the industry needed to contemplate life without sow crates, based on our analysis, and they're very resistant to that, so that's the big bone of contention."
Dr Hellstrom says he's pretty confident the new pig code will have a date banning the use of sow-crates, although it's possible any thought of abandoning them will go on hold.
He says no other major pig producing country has banned the crates.
"If we end up banning dry sow stalls and putting a lot of the New Zealand pig industry out of business, we're just going to end up importing pork from overseas which will be produced in much worse welfare conditions that we currently have in New Zealand."
The pig welfare draft code was initially due for release late last year, but was put on hold after the Pork Industry Board threatened legal action.
