NZPork is urging the government to ensure imported pork meets the same animal welfare standards as locally raised pork following a decision by Parliament’s Primary Production select committee not to investigate the issue. The committee ignored a petition signed by over 3500 New Zealanders calling for equal standards, as approximately 60% of the pork consumed in New Zealand is imported from countries with practices that are illegal in New Zealand. NZPork is pushing for equal competition for local pig farmers. The country's pork production industry is required to meet some of the world's most stringent animal welfare standards, including bans on gestation stalls and routine castration of piglets, which are common in countries exporting pork to New Zealand.