Friday, March 29, 2024

Welfare starts with the farmers

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Farming livestock in New Zealand has become a complex and challenging occupation that outgoing NZ Pork chairman Ian Carter says needs to be addressed. Annette Scott reports.
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Despite farmers having access to more science-based research and data than ever before, there’s an increasing disconnect between the realities of farming practices and the views of the public, retiring NZ Pork chairman Ian Carter says.

Carter, who will retire this month after serving seven years representing the industry in both governance and management, said while the primary sector has to recognise the concerns of consumers and work closely with regulators to ensure production meets best-practice standards, ultimately farmers are best-placed to manage the complex needs of their animals.

He said a prime example of the issue, and one of the most misunderstood and controversial processes in modern farming, is the farrowing system used by pig farmers.

“The first farrowing crates or pens were developed by farmers over a hundred years ago and the reasons farmers built them then is the same basis on which they are used now,” Carter said.

Despite being the subject of considerable research, testing and modification over this time, they are designed to care for the sow and her new born piglets.

The most stressful time for any animal is when they are giving birth. 

“Whether it is calving, lambing or farrowing, this stage of the biological process is the most critical for both the survival of the newborn and the farmer’s livelihood,” Carter said.

“Significant planning and resources go into this on every farm across the country, although for most species, this happens just once per year.  

“Like humans, pigs are not seasonal breeders and therefore require this level of resourcing to be available all year round and to manage all environmental conditions.

“This allows the pig farmer to justify building extremely specialist maternity facilities to care for their animals.”

Farrowing systems have continually evolved with the adoption of new technology and materials and as farmers gain greater understanding of changing dynamics of modern pigs. 

“Farmers strive to provide the conditions that allow their animals to express their potential.

“It is extremely satisfying to see experience and best practice, science, research and modern technology all combine to improve the outcomes for both the mother and her offspring – very much like we are continually trying to do in the human population.”

The maternity area of the farm is by far the most expensive area to set up. It is also the area that gets the most specialist care and human input for the sole reason of looking after the sow and her newly born piglets. 

“We go to great lengths to provide for the needs of the expectant mother by providing a warm, hygienic pen protected from predators and with a ready supply of fresh food and water to meet her needs.

“She can focus on giving birth to her piglets without most of the stresses she would experience in the wild.”

Carter said too much of farmers’ ability and right to farm is driven by misunderstood public perception. 

“A lot of the publicly promoted debate fails to take into account the established science our industry has relied on to inform the development of our modern farming practices.

“Our focus is on putting the needs of the animal at the centre of the farming practice.

“Provided those needs are being well met, we believe the farmer, with support from the industry body, research scientists and specialist vets, is the best placed to balance the needs of the animal, the commercial requirements of their business and the stewardship of their environment.

“It is our view, reinforced by the established science, both here and overseas, that for farmers that choose this method, the farrowing crate provides the best balance between the needs of the sow and her piglets.”

NZ Pork’s view is shared by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) which concluded its study of farrowing crates in 2016. 

In its review, which recommended farrowing crates be retained, NAWAC stated that “although NAWAC believes that the confining of sows in farrowing crates for this length of time does not provide for every behavioural need of sows, their use provides the best welfare outcome for piglets and the best total welfare of piglets and sows, based on currently available farrowing practices and scientific knowledge and as appropriate to the environment and circumstances of the animals.”

While many of the arguments put forward in public ignore the available science, Carter said it is more frustrating for farmers to see the attempt to undermine the local industry.

“As local farmers will know, the standard of care provided to animals in New Zealand, underscored by the PigCare programme, is very different to a broad range of practices used in farming around the world.

“This should be of real concern to local consumers, given 60% of pork products consumed in this country come from imported meat.

“Our understanding is that few local consumers are fully aware of the volume of imported meat they have in their diet and it is likely that any concern they have for animal welfare would be more appropriately directed to the source of imported pork, which arrives in this country without any requirement to meet our animal welfare standards.”

Ultimately the debate reinforces that the primary sector must work constantly to ensure consumers are able to understand the research, expertise and care that goes into producing the food they buy for their families.

“But unless we can ensure consumers that our regulators and other stakeholders have all the information available we may lose the ability to choose farming practices we believe are best for our animals, our environment and provide a quality protein for New Zealanders in a sustainable manner.”

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