increase font size
New regulations will come into force in time for spring calving this August.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says he had always intended to "fast-track" some of the new animal welfare regulations on the treatment of bobby calves.
These regulations will come into force in time for spring calving this August. Initial drafts have been the subject of nationwide public consultation meetings, along with other proposed changes to animal welfare laws.
Rules in force from August will require bobby calves be four days old before being trucked, and no journey may exceed 12 hours. The rules will prohibit young calves being shipped across Cook Strait and being killed by 'blunt' force unless in an emergency.
Guy says by February 2017 calves will have to be fed at least once in the 24-hours prior to slaughter, and the new rules will mandate shelter for calves and proper loading and unloading roadside facilities.
Guy has announced the new regulations now to give farmers time to comply by August, but he says none will be a surprise to farmers.
"This brings more transparency into the system and farmers realise consumers are demanding more of this inside the farmgate; it's an opportunity for farmers to respond accordingly. The great majority of farmers are already adhering to this, but it will be a bit tougher on the odd scallywag -- not a bad thing."
The new regulations are among work by the government and the industry to ensure bobby calf best practice, Guy says.
"They also provide MPI with a wider set of compliance tools including the ability to impose direct fines for lower level offending, and a wider set of offences to undertake formal prosecutions against."
Winter grazing is looming again and the Ministry for Primary Industries says it's going to increase proactive farm visits and provide practical advice for farmers in the lead up to the season.
The primary sector is welcoming the appointment of Dr John Roche as the Prime Minister's new chief science advisor.
A highly experienced agricultural scientist with specialist knowledge of the dairy sector is the Prime Minister's new Chief Science Advisor.
A Māori-owned agribusiness helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sectors wants more industry support.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
The CEO of Apples and Pears NZ, Karen Morrish, says the strategic focus of her organisation is to improve grower returns.
A significant breakthrough in understanding facial eczema (FE) in livestock brings New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s devastating impact on farmers, animals, and rural communities.
Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.
OPINION: The case of four Canterbury high country stations facing costly and complex consent hearing processes highlights the dilemma facing the farming sector as the country transitions into a replacement for the Resource Management Act (RMA).
The 2024-25 season apple harvest has “well and truly exceeded expectations”, says Apples and Pears NZ chief executive Karen Morrish.
Through collaborative efforts with exhibitors, visitors, and industry partners, Fieldays says it is reaffirming its commitment to environmental responsibility with new initiatives for 2025.
