David Carter, Agriculture Minister has said that he would not compel the Pork Industry Board to reveal the piggeries information. He said that he did not have any constitutional role in the Pork industry Board’s Act; therefore, he would not do anything about it.

Mr. Carter was questioned by other members of the House about the steps to be taken by him to make the Board to present its information under the Official Information Act.

There were reports that many piggeries had pigs with sow crates, in order to examine such reports, Pork Industry Board had performed a national piggeries review. The Board has said that it would not disclose the findings of this audit, as it may lead to the embarrassment for the industry.

House members said that an action should be taken against the Board, as they are concealing the information which is subjected to be disclosed. According to Green Party MP Sue Kedgley, the Pork Industry Board is a constitutional Board, so it cannot hide any information under Office Information Act.

The Board is also blamed to defer the release of a welfare code for pigs. Till now, over 20,000 submissions have been presented for this code.

Mr. Carter said that he would implement this new code from October.