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Capitalising on pig welfare
NEW ZEALAND - New Zealanders are increasingly demanding moral meals with animals raised in what consumers regard as humane conditions. And a group of South Island farmers are seizing the opportunity to feed the niche market.However, at the same time concerns are being raised about how well some aspects of the pork industry are being policed.
As New Zealanders become more discerning about their meals, farmers are capitalising on the concern about pig welfare.
Gregor Fyfe from Freedom Farms in Canterbury says they have to meet standards set by the SPCA who do an independent audit. This means there are no sow crates or pens.
About half of New Zealand sows are kept in crates for about two months of each pregnancy and birth cycle. They spend their whole lives getting pregnant.
Pig farmer Graham Taylor says animal rightists will want to burn his place down, but he says for the 28 days the sow is in the crate "she's got plenty to occupy her mind".
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Source: TVNZ
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