Friday, March 29, 2024

NZ Pork slams ‘blanket’ emissions policy

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The pork industry is calling for the Government to recognise a different emissions policy approach for pigs. In its submission to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), NZ Pork says a one-size-fits-all approach for livestock does not take into account non-ruminant livestock such as pigs.
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New Zealand Pork chief executive David Baines says the unique nature of the pork industry in NZ means policy designed for the pastoral sector and ruminant livestock will not necessarily be the most effective means of facilitating emissions reductions from farmed pigs.

While welcoming many of the recommendations in the CCC’s draft advice to the Government, he says a blanket policy could disproportionately impact NZ pig farmers.

Pigs have monogastric digestive systems, so naturally produce much lower methane emissions than ruminant animals like cattle or sheep.

NZ’s commercial pork sector is a low-emission industry, with emissions from pigs accounting for just 0.2% of total agricultural emissions.

“We urge the commission to acknowledge that emissions from non-ruminant livestock may require alternative actions or policy approaches so as not to disproportionately impact our farmers,” Baines said.

NZ Pork has lodged its submission on the draft advice as part of the commission’s consultation process.

Baines acknowledges the farm level pricing programme being developed as part of the He Waka Eke Noa programme is legislated to include all livestock farming, but while supportive of participating in a farm-level pricing programme, commercial pig farming in NZ is a very small sector.

“We do not have the same level of resources available for greenhouse gas (GHG) policy implementation and research and development that the pastoral sector does,” he said.

“As pig farmers will still face a price on emissions, investment in technological advancement will be an important component of any reduction strategy for the sector.

“Our industry’s unique profile means the pork sector is less likely to co-benefit from research and development into technological advancements to reduce livestock emissions, such as methane inhibitors and vaccines.

“It will require a different focus, with less potential for the cost and resource-saving benefits of collaboration.”

The commission’s proposed pathway to the required 2035 emissions reductions for the agricultural sector focuses on improved animal performance as a key driver, but pig farmers also face other unique factors which could impact on this goal, including the current review of the Code of Welfare (Pigs).

“The review has a particular focus on the traditional use of farrowing crates in indoor pig farming operations,” he said.

“Alternatives suggested include larger, pen-based systems and selective breeding to reduce litter sizes. 

“This will reduce productivity and reverse the decades-long gains that have been made in reducing emissions intensity from pig farming by making productivity gains.”

At the same time, Baines says pork farmers are struggling to compete on price with foreign pork for several reasons, including lower requirements around animal welfare in a number of exporting countries, lower feed prices and overseas government subsidies.

“As an industry, we are committed to environmental stewardship and continuing on a path of emissions reductions,” he said.

“As a naturally low-emission animal protein, we believe NZ’s pork sector has a strong part to play in the country’s future low-emission economy.

“We can only achieve this if policy design and implementation is appropriate and achievable for our sector.”

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