Protesters snort at pig farmers

"Keep pork off your fork, stop battery farming," animal rights protesters yelled as an advancing pork production seminar was underway.

The 18-strong group, many dressed as pigs or wearing pig masks, had a mock sow crate, banners, photo boards and shouted slogans.

They also blew whistles, banged pot lids and used a hooter to try to let the pig farmers know their "factory" farming techniques had to change, Save Animals From Exploitation (Safe) campaign director Hans Kriek said.

Massey University was running its annual pork production seminar with pig farmers, researchers, veterinarians and commercial feed companies.

The Pork Industry Board's chief executive, Sam McIvor, said most pig farmers were very concerned about the welfare of their animals.

He spoke at yesterday's seminar about the future of the New Zealand pork industry, saying he had been involved in the sheep, beef, and dairy industries, and believed pig farmers were the most concerned about the care of their animals.

"Sow stalls are being phased out. The industry is well ahead of the targets set in the 2005 Pig Welfare Code. We estimate 90 per cent of the industry is already meeting regulations that were set for 2015 targets," Mr McIvor said.

The target is for sows to spend less than six weeks a year in a sow stall.

Mr McIvor said he believed that was indicative of the industry, which was all about better conditions for pigs.

"These producers are passionate about pigs, which is why they work with them."

The protesters were not convinced the changes in intensive pig farming go far enough or are being made fast enough.

Protester Emily Bailey said she had been to an intensive pig farm.

"It was disgusting, quite traumatic."

She believed most New Zealanders had no idea where their pork and bacon came from, and said that needed to change.

Mr Kriek said, "We're here to change the awful practices which the pig industry uses. Mr McIvor talks about the future of the pig industry. Well it's us. That's what we've come to tell them."

The protesters said intensive pig farming was on the "political agenda now" and hoped pressure might change rules about how pigs are farmed.

- © Fairfax NZ News