Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
New Zealand's reputation as a country with strong outcome focused animal welfare frameworks is important to New Zealand dairy companies, and to the dairy industry as a whole, says the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ).
Based on an initial review, the proposals appear to represent a positive move to reinforce New Zealand's animal welfare system, which is already recognised as world leading by the global animal welfare charity World Animal Protection.
The proposed regulations would provide further clarity of minimum standards expectations, and enable MPI's compliance team to use a greater range of tools to enforce compliance.
The dairy industry Strategy for Sustainable Dairy Farming sets a target for 100% compliance with New Zealand animal welfare standards, and individual dairy companies have reinforced expectations of compliance in their farmer supply contracts.
Dairy farmers are supported to achieve good animal welfare outcomes through the work of DairyNZ in developing, and promoting, industry best practice guidance.
