Tuesday, 17 March 2026 12:28

Election Year Curse?

Written by Milking It

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OPINION: The coalition Government seems to have chickened out when it comes to live animal exports by sea.

Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard was unable to get Cabinet to agree to reinstate the live export trade, so that's one 2023 election promise that won't be progressing this political term.

Both National and ACT campaigned at the last election on overturning the ban on livestock exports by sea and promised to bring in a new gold standard to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare.

While ACT seems to be in favour of lifting the ban, National, which is taking a beating in latest polls, seems to think it's not worth the risk.

Time will tell.

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