Auckland student John Darroch appeared in court Monday after a weekend spent chained to a silo at a Cambridge pig farm.
 
His protest was part of a sustained effort by welfare groups to highlight what he calls ‘inherently cruel’ practices in the industry.
 
Animal welfare group Open Rescue has released fresh video footage exposing what it calls ‘appalling’ conditions in pig farms, especially the use of sow crates to cage pigs during and after pregnancy.
 
SAFE spokesman Hans Kriek says the footage shows nothing has changed in the industry.
 
The Pork Industry Board says the crates comply with welfare standards, and it’s introduced an audit system to ensure farmers stick to them.
 
Chief Executive Sam McIvor says the industry is committed to reducing the use of early pregnancy sow stalls to four weeks.
 
Mr. McIvor says local farmers are opening to change, but need assurances they won’t be undercut by imported product not subject to similar welfare standards.