Bikinis in cowshed
OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.
Forty five new animal welfare regulations will come into effect on 1 October 2018.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director for animal health and welfare, Dr Chris Rodwell, says the new regulations cover a range of species and activities from stock transport and farm husbandry procedures to companion and working animals like dogs and horses.
"With under a month to go until these new regulations come into effect, we want to encourage people, who are responsible for any type of animal, to check they are up to date in how they are looking after them," says Rodwell.
"Our team has been working with industry and sector groups to raise awareness of the regulations and ensure people understand and can meet their responsibilities.
"Most New Zealanders already care for their animals well, so if you're already doing the right thing, you won't see a lot of change.
"The majority of the regulations reflect existing standards, but there are a few that do set new rules and requirements, such as prohibiting the tail docking of cows and dogs.
"Even if you already think you are doing the right thing, it's best to check and make sure you are."
One of the main changes is that the new regulations will make it easier for MPI and the SPCA (Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals) to take action against animal mistreatment.
"These regulations will allow us to better respond to lower levels of offending, and target specific behaviours that need to change,
"For example, if people allow their animal's horns to become ingrown, they can be fined $500. We will continue to prosecute the worst offenders under the Animal Welfare Act".
In developing the regulations, current science, good practice, and the views of submitters were taken into consideration.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.