New EU Livestock Strategy commits the Commission to
pursuing welfare requirements for imports, as similar
proposal for New Zealand still awaits Government
action
New Zealand risks falling behind
international trade policy developments on import standards,
after the European Commission adopted an EU Livestock
Strategy that commits to requiring imported animal products
to meet its animal welfare standards.
The EU Livestock
Strategy states that reciprocal requirements should
apply to imported animal products, delivered through the
revision of the EU’s animal welfare legislation and through
trade agreements, in line with World Trade Organisation
rules. Legislative proposals covering layer hens and broiler
chickens are expected by the end of 2026, with proposals on
pigs to follow in the second quarter of 2027.
Animal
Policy International says the EU’s move confirms that
welfare-based import requirements are continuing to be a
feature of trade policy.
Parliament banned sow stalls
in 2016 and battery cages in 2023, yet products from these
systems continue to be imported and sold alongside New
Zealand-produced goods. Over 60% of the pork sold in New
Zealand is imported, with most of it coming from countries
that still use sow stalls. Most imported liquid eggs, used
in food manufacturing, come from countries that still allow
battery cages.
Farmers in favour
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Walt
Cavendish, of Farming With Walt, said: “European farmers
are getting an assurance that imports will have to meet the
same standards they do. Kiwi farmers deserve the same. We’re
proud to farm to some of the highest welfare standards, but
that pride doesn’t pay the bills when you’re being undercut
by imports produced in ways that would be illegal here. It’s
time for a level playing field.”
“I support
New Zealand’s animal-welfare standards and the farmers who
have invested in meeting them. Those farmers should not then
be undercut by imported pork, chicken and egg products
produced under systems that are not permitted here.
Requiring equivalent welfare outcomes for imports would
support both fair competition and the integrity of New
Zealand’s standards.” said Robert Hickson, New
Zealand farmer.
Curia Market Research polling released
in May found 78% of New Zealand farmers agree imported
animal products should be required to meet New Zealand’s
welfare standards, in line with Horizon Research polling
showing over 80% of the public agree.
“If the EU can
do this, then so can New Zealand”
Rainer Kravets,
Co-Executive Director of Animal Policy International, said:
“The EU has confirmed what independent legal analysis and
precedent have consistently found – applying domestic
welfare standards to imports is practical, WTO-compatible
and increasingly the direction of travel. If the EU can do
this then so can New Zealand. With an election this year,
parties have a clear opportunity to say where they
stand.”
The EU is one of New Zealand’s largest
trading partners, with a free trade agreement in force since
2024. California’s Proposition 12 and the EU’s direction of
travel show major producers adapt when clear standards are
set, without triggering retaliation.
The Animal
Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill, a
member’s bill lodged by MP Steve Abel and currently in the
biscuit tin, is one mechanism to deliver the policy. The
Government could also take the approach forward
directly.
About Animal Policy
International:
Animal Policy International is a New
Zealand charity working on trade and farmed animal policy.
It works with NGOs, policymakers and industry to ensure
animal welfare standards set domestically are also reflected
in imported products. More at
animalpolicyinternational.org.
The EU
Livestock Strategy:
- The EU Livestock Strategy was
adopted by the European Commission on 7 July 2026. It
commits to introducing WTO-compatible reciprocity conditions
for imports and names two vehicles for equivalent animal
welfare requirements for imported products: the revision of
the EU’s animal welfare legislation, and the EU’s trade
agreements. Legislative proposals on layer hens and broilers
are expected by the end of 2026, and on pigs in Q2 2027.
(Strategy page; Commission press release) - Animal
Policy International’s analysis of the EU Livestock Strategy
is available here. - The strategy builds on the EU’s
February 2025 Vision for Agriculture and Food, which stated
that future legislative proposals would apply the same
standards to products produced in the EU and those imported
from third countries.
The proposed
New Zealand policy:
- The proposal would require
imported animal products sold in New Zealand to meet the
welfare standards New Zealand applies to its own farmers). A
full explainer is available here. - The Animal
Products (Closing the Welfare Gap) Amendment Bill, a
member’s bill lodged in May 2025 by Green MP Steve Abel and
currently in the biscuit tin, would enable the Minister to
set animal welfare standards for animal products sold in New
Zealand, with regulations on pigs and hens required within
two years. - Legal advice indicates that under
international trade rules New Zealand can restrict imports
that don’t meet its own standards. Analysis of New Zealand’s
free trade agreements found nothing that would prevent the
policy.
Key
facts:
- Current import statistics: According
to the latest statistics from NZ Pork, the share of imports
of New Zealand pork consumption in 2024–25 was 63.3%, up
from 61.9% in 2023–24 and 60.4% in 2022–23. (Source: NZ
Pork Annual Reports) - Economic analysis: A report by
Animal Policy International found the policy could increase
domestic pork output by $17.2–29.0
million. - Practicality: The countries supplying New
Zealand already produce far more stall-free pork than New
Zealand needs the United States around 176 times more,
Germany around 251 times. Trade with New Zealand is less
than 2% of production for every major pork exporter. The
estimated cost to consumers is around 25 cents per person
per week. - Polling: Curia Market Research polling of
1,000 New Zealand farmers (April 2026, commissioned by
Animal Policy International) found 78% agree imported animal
products should be required to meet New Zealand’s animal
welfare standards. Horizon Research polling has consistently
found over 80% of New Zealanders
agree.
