7. Question No. 7—AgricultureGARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of AgricultureQuestion No. 7—Agriculture7. GARETH HUGHES (Green) to the Minister of Agriculture: Does the Minister have any plans to review the use of farrowing crates? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Agriculture): Look as that member is aware the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls are subject to court proceedings which would be inappropriate for me to comment on in detail. I do however acknowledge the petition before the Primary Production Committee and will consider and act on any recommendations if presented. That member will also be aware that the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee's last review of the use of farrowing crates in 2016 advised that crates currently provide the best balance between sow and piglet welfare and acknowledged issues with alternative systems. Gareth Hughes: In reference to that 2016 report does he agree with the view of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee from last year that Current approaches where farrowing crates are used for up to four weeks post farrowing do not provide for every behavioural need of sows." and that "Sows have their activity restricted for a longer period than is necessary."? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Look given the report is currently it may form a part of evidential basis on which the court—I'm reluctant to make any comment given that I'm one of the defendants I understand in the court proceedings. Gareth Hughes: Well does the Minister have any welfare concerns about farrowing crates given a 2018 report from Professor Andrew Knight that describes the practice as "confined within [spaces] barely larger than their own bodies" with "minimal amounts of straw (if any) sows are unable to forage to root within natural substrate"—SPEAKER: Order! Order! That quote is again longer than necessary for the question. Do the question bit. Gareth Hughes: Does the Minister have any animal welfare concerns given the expert advice of Professor Andrew Knight? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Once again I won't comment on what might form evidence in a court case. I will say though that I'm prepared to listen to the petition that's currently before the Primary Production Committee and look at it at that time and work with the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Gareth Hughes: Separate to that court case does he agree with the concerns of numerous experts in New Zealand that the codes of welfare including for farrowing crates are acting as inferior minimum standards not actually consistent with our Animal Welfare Act? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: While I have been involved in pig farming in my early early years on the home farm I'm not an expert and I do rely on the advice of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. Gareth Hughes: What is the Minister's message to the 15000 people who signed a Labour Party petition in 2014 to "end cruel farming practices like farrowing crates"? Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR: Look our agenda as a Government is already set out in four public-facing documents: the Speech from the Throne from my Prime Minister the coalition agreement with New Zealand First the confidence and supply agreement with the Greens and our plan. Between them these documents set out our key policy areas that we'll be focusing on that the Government also will progress over this term."