Letters, November 12: Resolute on pig welfare

Waikato Times

In response to a recent TV programme, I am reporting that on behalf of pig farmers NZ Pork continually investigates the best welfare options and outcomes for the farming of our pigs.

This year, in response to consumer concern around farming styles used in New Zealand, our industry committed to an independent annual welfare audit programme – "Pig Care".

From December 2009 the audit scheme will be compulsory for all commercial pig farms. It will focus on assessing pigs and their welfare, including the style of farming and specific details within the national animal welfare advisory committee's animal welfare code – ultimately providing New Zealanders with the assurance our pig farmers care for their animals, and fulfil their pig health and welfare duties.

Massey University and the SPCA have been involved in developing the audit process.

In addition, most commercial farms have a regular veterinary visiting programme – the veterinarians are bound by an ethical standard to remedy pig health and welfare issues, and in cases that breach the Animal Welfare Act to report them to the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry. This is tangible evidence New Zealand pig farmers are willing to be open and accountable to consumers. This is in contrast to the 700,000 kilograms of imported pork arriving every week that is not required to meet any welfare standard.

SAM McIVOR

Chief executive

NZ Pork

It's your destiny

A man, down on his luck, wanders into a Destiny Church to listen to the Sunday sermon; his jeans are a bit worse for wear, as is his shirt but they are clean and tidy. He has done his best.

Following the sermon a deacon of the church inquires as to whether the man enjoyed the service. He replies in the affirmative.

Does he believe in God, the deacon inquires. Yes he does, the man replies. Then the deacon asks if, before he returns to the church again, could he then inquire of his God what would be suitable attire at his place of worship.

The man promises he will.

The next Sunday the man appears again in the same clothes. After the sermon the same deacon appears by his side and asks gently if the man inquired of his God, as promised. The man replied yes he had. And what was God's reply, the deacon asked.

The man said God could not in good conscience comment as he had never attended this particular church.

Any man's faith is between him and the god of his choosing; it does not require a glass cathedral or tithing or permission from the bishop, just the simple belief he exists. (Abridged)

PAUL EVANS-McLEOD

Hamilton

Magical Mexico

As a Mexican living much of my time in New Zealand, it saddens me to see the negative publicity my country receives. The two principal causes are, of course, swine flu and drugs.

Mexico is not, and never has been, a significant producer or user of drugs.

The problem is that it lies on the southern border of the United States, the biggest user in the world of recreational drugs. The drugs enter Mexico from other countries by a variety of covert means, and then are transported across the border into the US by Mexican and American dealers.

Swine flu, largely attributed to having originated in Mexico, was not Mexican in origin. As best-selling author Bill Bryson in his book A Short History of Nearly Everything, published in 2003 and reprinted in 2008, says: "Swine flu [also known as Spanish flu] arose as normal, non-lethal flu in the [northern] spring of 1918. In the United States, the first deaths were recorded among sailors in Boston in late August 1918."

As my New Zealand family and friends will attest, don't be afraid of coming to Mexico.

You would be extraordinarily unlucky to have a bad experience with either swine flu or drugs. You will certainly experience the beauty, history, cuisine, music and friendship that we call Magical Mexico. (Abridged)

YOLANDA ESTRADA

Hamilton & Mexico City

Focus on appeal

I have read with some interest the various letters and articles regarding the Waikato SPCA over the past few weeks and make the following observations:

It is unfair to accuse the current chief executive over a deficit when she was appointed in September 2008 – nine months into the financial year.

Two years ago the Waikato Times ran an article on the fact the SPCA was on the verge of financial collapse as there was no money. This indicates a history of poor financial management that was not under the control of the current committee and chief executive.

As every household will have noticed in the current recession, there is only so much that can go around to pay the bills.

With the annual appeal under way I hope the public will put the petty squabbling to one side and focus on supporting a worthy organisation that focuses on the needs of animal welfare.

MARGARET WADEY

Te Kowhai

A cow's life

Natural life and natural relevance: what does it mean any more? Fonterra – what are you doing with your cows in China? (Waikato Times, October 31). As if the life of battery hens is not appalling.

Animal rights activists are trying to free bears in China from the captivity of human exploitation. I am aware of the analogy. The bear is a wilderness animal and the cow is domestic. An interesting article (Waikato Times) contrasting with Forest & Bird (letters, October 30) and letters about the SPCA.

The issue is food supply. Or is it financial? Actually the issue is that it's even worse than battery hens. What of mad cow disease?

SUDAKAM HEWSEN

Hamilton

Labtests fiasco

It is time a little sense was brought into the continuing saga of poor performance by Labtests Auckland. Any other contract would have been terminated by now for failure to comply with its conditions, which is what should have happened to Labtests Auckland. In addition, penalties should have been applied for the failure to fulfil obligations. Why are the health boards so determined to carry on with this fiasco? Get Medlab back in a hurry.

D W N SAUNDERS

Tokoroa