A BIZARRE plan to farm Kiwi cows in indoor cubicles is poised to jeopardise the eco-friendly nation’s clean, green image.

The Green Party has come out guns blazing, calling it “factory farming” that was a “chilling prospect” from an animal welfare perspective and could do immense harm to the country’s international brand.

“Once word gets out to overseas consumers that New Zealand butter comes from factory farms, there goes our competitive advantage,” Dr Norman said.

And word is getting out fast, with more than a dozen animal rights groups in Australia, France and Great Britain sending in negative submissions to the consent process.

Proponents clearly have their work cut out for them but they’re arguing the new farms will have better milk production performances, more efficient use of feed and fertiliser and less soil compaction.

Put simply by a farmer already using the system, Abe de Wolde,: “It makes me more money, it’s better for the environment and it’s pleasant to work in”.

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