Farmers back ‘gold standard’ regulations for livestock exports
Federated Farmers want to see the return of cattle exports but insists that animal welfare and New Zealand’s international reputation must be protected first.
Animal rights group SAFE has launched a nationwide campaign designed to issue a call to the new government, asking them to preserve the ban on live animal export.
The campaign is calling on Kiwis to add their names to a parliamentary petition headed by former chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), Dr John Hellstrom.
The prohibition on live export by sea came into effect in April 2023, and was endorsed by submissions from NAWAC among others.
However, the ban has proved controversial with then-Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor accused of ignoring official advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
National’s then-animal welfare spokesperson Nicola Grigg (now the current government’s Associate Minister of Agriculture) claimed the ban made a mockery of the select committee process by ignoring submitters who opposed the ban.
However, SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton says overturning the ban would not only jeopardise the welfare of animals, but also undermine the progress made for New Zealand.
“Reversing the ban on live export would not only ignore overwhelming public support but also subject animals to the distress of prolonged sea voyages and inadequate oversight at destination ports,” says Ashton.
“It is essential for the government to prioritise the best interests of New Zealand’s animals and listen to the voices of concerned citizens who advocate for their rights and welfare,” she says.
A recent survey from Camorra Research, commissioned by SPCA NZ, recently found that 83% of the 993 New Zealanders surveyed did not believe we could guarantee the welfare of animals once they arrive at their destination.
60% of those surveyed said overturning the ban would damage New Zealand’s reputation for animal welfare.
However, 19% of those surveyed believed the ban should be overturned.
Ashton says other countries are starting to shift away from live animal exports due to significant animal welfare concerns.
“Australia, Luxembourg, and the European Union are all considering or have taken steps to phase out live exports,” she says.
“Undoing our ban would mark the first instance in New Zealand’s history of legislation diminishing, rather than improving, animal welfare standards.
“We’re proud that New Zealand has led the way on live export and SAFE will not allow this Government to take us backwards,” she concludes.
Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Harvesting is underway of one of New Zealand’s rarest and most unusual fruit - persimmons.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.