Sow crate ban will increase NZ pork price - Carter
The price of New Zealand-grown pork may rise as a result of a decision to ban sow crates for pigs.

The Government is phasing out the controversial crates so they will all be gone by the end of 2015 – five years away.

The industry says introducing the measures will cost $20 million.

“It will financially be very, very difficult, we need the support of the consumer to purchase local product," Mr Riordan says.

It may push up the price of pork products.

“I do acknowledge that New Zealand pork may now be marginally more expensive than imported pork," Mr Carter says.

New Zealand imports 700,000kg of pork every week from overseas countries where sow crates are still being used and