When I wrote earlier this month about how the pork lobby had essentially written its own law, I thought we had witnessed the nadir of this Government’s capitulation to agricultural interests – see: How the pork lobby wrote its own cruel law.
'This scandal is about more than pigs. It’s about whether we have a functioning democracy or a “government for sale”.'
It is also about whether we are even halfway decent human beings.
The pork industry engages in animal cruelty for the sake of profit. One way for us to respond is a total boycott of New Zealand farm raised pork, which for me starts today. Let these dregs of colonialist society learn that there is no money to be made out of cruelty.
There is an opportunity here for consumer pushback as Geoff suggests. And maybe some pig farmers might like to form a group which does not use farrowing pens - we the consumers could then buy from them. We don't need to sit idly by. Wouldn't it be great to undermine the profits of those farrowing farmers!
Thanks Bryce, for continuing to unearth such deeply concerning behaviour with respect to both animal mistreatment and what appears to be brazen political corruption. What disgusting people to be profiting from the suffering of animals. Then this Minister rushing through legislation knowing full well that if the story got out in a proper consultation process there would be widespread outcry and push back despite that our primary industry is based on slaughter for food. Circumventing due democratic process by unnecessarily ramming through dodgy legilsation is becoming a worrying pattern, clearly not just confined to the more extreme left.
I wonder if this is how a country ends up getting its agricultural exports sanctioned by the European Union? I remember reading years ago about how we got dropped from an EU tax-paperwork whitelist because it was too easy to set up shell companies in Queen St. Here's the story: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6938888/New-Zealand-removed-from-EU-white-list. So, that sort of thing does happen.
Much appreciation, Bryce. Saying no more than others have said, but appreciation is due. This stinging condemnation in both your pieces about it is right on the dot. Not just blatant crony capitalism, regulatory capture and the rest of it, but also an unconscionable, almost unimaginable, sickening disregard for the animal suffering perpetuated.
The politics of this situation are as deeply concerning as animal welfare. We look across the Pacific and scoff at what has happened in American politics for decades, if not centuries, (ironically they call it "pork barrelling") and yet the same sort of corruption has been occurring in New Zealand despite our great record in that regard. To be fair, it is endemic in every political system, but in one which prizes democracy it is obnoxious. It occurs on both sides of centre, but more so on the right. Do those on the right have more to gain?
I had little respect for Hoggard when he was president of Federated Farmers and his actions since entering politics have not changed my opinion. Too often he traded the welfare of his constituency for the desires of the industries riding on the backs of farmers.
The pork industry is not the only one in the agricultural sector. It is not long since live animal exports figured in headlines, and we all remember photographs of cows knee deep in mud. But I think the pork industry is probably the most egregious.
I believe this attitude is associated, although not necessarily so, with those of a right political persuasion and it is well that it is highlighted by a column devoted to integrity. Thank you Bryce.
'This scandal is about more than pigs. It’s about whether we have a functioning democracy or a “government for sale”.'
It is also about whether we are even halfway decent human beings.
The pork industry engages in animal cruelty for the sake of profit. One way for us to respond is a total boycott of New Zealand farm raised pork, which for me starts today. Let these dregs of colonialist society learn that there is no money to be made out of cruelty.
There is an opportunity here for consumer pushback as Geoff suggests. And maybe some pig farmers might like to form a group which does not use farrowing pens - we the consumers could then buy from them. We don't need to sit idly by. Wouldn't it be great to undermine the profits of those farrowing farmers!
My wife has always preferred to purchase pork grown in New Zealand. I haven't ascertained her feelings since these last revelations emerged!
Thanks Bryce, for continuing to unearth such deeply concerning behaviour with respect to both animal mistreatment and what appears to be brazen political corruption. What disgusting people to be profiting from the suffering of animals. Then this Minister rushing through legislation knowing full well that if the story got out in a proper consultation process there would be widespread outcry and push back despite that our primary industry is based on slaughter for food. Circumventing due democratic process by unnecessarily ramming through dodgy legilsation is becoming a worrying pattern, clearly not just confined to the more extreme left.
I wonder if this is how a country ends up getting its agricultural exports sanctioned by the European Union? I remember reading years ago about how we got dropped from an EU tax-paperwork whitelist because it was too easy to set up shell companies in Queen St. Here's the story: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6938888/New-Zealand-removed-from-EU-white-list. So, that sort of thing does happen.
Much appreciation, Bryce. Saying no more than others have said, but appreciation is due. This stinging condemnation in both your pieces about it is right on the dot. Not just blatant crony capitalism, regulatory capture and the rest of it, but also an unconscionable, almost unimaginable, sickening disregard for the animal suffering perpetuated.
The politics of this situation are as deeply concerning as animal welfare. We look across the Pacific and scoff at what has happened in American politics for decades, if not centuries, (ironically they call it "pork barrelling") and yet the same sort of corruption has been occurring in New Zealand despite our great record in that regard. To be fair, it is endemic in every political system, but in one which prizes democracy it is obnoxious. It occurs on both sides of centre, but more so on the right. Do those on the right have more to gain?
I had little respect for Hoggard when he was president of Federated Farmers and his actions since entering politics have not changed my opinion. Too often he traded the welfare of his constituency for the desires of the industries riding on the backs of farmers.
The pork industry is not the only one in the agricultural sector. It is not long since live animal exports figured in headlines, and we all remember photographs of cows knee deep in mud. But I think the pork industry is probably the most egregious.
I believe this attitude is associated, although not necessarily so, with those of a right political persuasion and it is well that it is highlighted by a column devoted to integrity. Thank you Bryce.