Petition request

That the House of Representatives require imports of any animal products to be produced to standards that meet or exceed New Zealand’s animal welfare standards.

Petition reason

New Zealand has a reputation for a high level of animal welfare and has legislated several improvements for farmed animals. Examples include bans on sow stalls (2015), mulesing (2019), and battery cages (2023). In my view, allowing imported animal products with lower standards than NZ undermines the spirit and effectiveness of our laws and our commitment to animal welfare, and creates an unfair double standard that privileges overseas producers over domestic farmers.

Petition progress

  • Open for signatures
  • Closed for signatures
  • Select Committee
  • Reported
  • Referred to Minister
Number of signatures: 8042
Date presented: 06 May 2025
Considered by: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
SC Report(s): 02 Jun 2026 (Final)
Presenting member: Rachel Boyack
Closing date: 01 May 2025