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Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson says the new Government will be working to overturn the ban on live exports.
Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson says live exports of animals is a $500m trade that the country cannot afford to do without.
Patterson says the new Government will be working to overturn the ban placed by the former Labour Government.
"We will tidy up legislation so that animal welfare and safety of staff are paramount," he says.
Live cattle exports earn about $320 million annually for farmers and exporters. NZ cattle exports have helped China build their dairy herd, with nearly 135,000 cattle exported in 2021.
However, in April this year, labour banned livestock exports after an independent review said they could damage New Zealand's reputation regarding animal welfare. The reversal of the livestock exports ban is part of the coalition deal between National and NZ First. ACT also supports lifting the ban.
Dairy News understands new legislation around reversing the ban could be tabled in Parliament by the middle of next year.
The man who organised a 57,000 signature petition to ban the export of live animals by sea from NZ says he's delighted that the Government has abandoned plans to reinstate the trade.
OPINION: Public opinion, political pragmatism and commercial and market reality have caused the Government to abandon introducing legislation into Parliament to legalise the shipment by sea of live animals - mainly cows - to overseas destinations.
Exporters of live animals by sea say the decision by the coalition Government to go back on its word to reinstate the live export trade is "mysterious and disappointing".
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says a series of rural resilienced set to be rolled out next week will help farmers and growers better prepared for adverse weather events.
Recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, and Canterbury have been declared a medium-scale adverse event.
Halter has unveiled plans for a large-scale expansion of its virtual fencing and animal management system, following a major fundraising round.
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The man who organised a 57,000 signature petition to ban the export of live animals by sea from NZ says he's delighted that the Government has abandoned plans to reinstate the trade.
Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Will Foley says McCains plans to close its Hastings vegetable processing factory is a "tough pill to swallow" for the Hawke's Bay region.
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