Photo: RNZ

The government has been accused of "brazen industry capture" by passing a series of changes to pig welfare standards that are closely aligned with an industry proposal.

On Wednesday, it was announced MPs would have less time to scrutinise pig welfare reforms in order to introduce new rules before existing rules expire 18 December.

The law change was announced by Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard on 1 October and passed quickly to the Primary Production select committee. It cancels a ban on farrowing crates, which was due to kick in from 18 December. Instead, the bill keeps farrowing crates in existence but gives pig farmers 10 years to adapt to slightly tougher restrictions.

The crates are controversial because a sow cannot turn around in them. They prevent nesting behaviour and can lead to health problems, but the pig industry argues they are necessary to stop sows from crushing their piglets.

Many of the new rules appear in NZ Pork's 2022 submission on a previously planned code of welfare.

Instead of banning crates, or restricting their use while making them bigger, NZ Pork's submission suggested an "alternative proposal". It asked for longer transition times, a much smaller space increase for growing pigs, a four day limit on farrowing crate use after birth, an emphasis on economic viability, and "outcomes-focused" rather than presc