Battle over live exports
Rather than banning live animal exports, New Zealand should raise the standards required of the industry.
Animal rights group SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) have written an open letter to the Prime Minister asking her to appoint a Commissioner for Animals.
The letter comes after the High Court found last month that Minister for Agriculture Damien O'Connor, on the advice of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), had acted unlawfully by not phasing out the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls.
SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton says the government needs to get serious about animal welfare.
"NAWAC failed to uphold the law, and mother pigs suffered as a result," Ashton said.
"We have animal welfare legislation for a reason, because we recognise that animals have needs. We are calling for better systems that will put animal welfare first."
NZALA president Saar Cohen said, "the judgement highlights the need to oversee NAWAC's actions and provide leadership and guidance to all animal welfare agencies."
"A parliamentary Commissioner for Animals will do that, as well as advocated for animals and ensure fair representation of animal interests in Government decision making."
NZALA and SAFE filed proceedings in February 2019 over O'Connor's and NAWAC's failure to phase out the use of farrowing crates.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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