increase font size
Federated Farmers want to see the return of cattle 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.
In a Federated Farmers Podcast, alongside guest Brian Pearson, general manager at livestock export business BeefGen, Feds animal welfare spokesman Richard McIntyre revealed that there are some concerns about animal welfare that need to be addressed first.
“There need to be assurances that any animal being exported will be safe and comfortable not just on their journey, but at their destination too,’ he says.
In April 2023, following intense pressure from animal welfare organisations, the former Labour government banned live animal exports. The Coalition Government is likely to make an announcement on resuming livestock exports at the National Fieldays next month.
McIntyre says Federated Farmers is hoping to see legislation introduced by the Government later this year to get cattle exports going again.
Acknowledging many people, including farmers, have concerns about the export of animals, McIntyre says in the podcast that scrutiny of the industry is a positive thing.
“I actually think it's a really good thing that there’s been a lot of discussion about cattle exports because it shows just how concerned New Zealanders are about animal welfare.”
He says Federated Farmers share those views and are 100% supportive of the sector-initiated ‘Gold Standard’ animal welfare precautions put forward as a caveat on any shipments from our shores.
McIntyre explains that, prior to the previous Government’s ban, live exports were a significant earner for farmers, particularly when domestic market and environmental conditions were unfavourable.
He goes on to say it’s important for people to understand that no cattle are exported live from New Zealand for slaughter.
“The cattle we export are all for breeding purposes. Some countries do live export for religious slaughter trade, but that hasn’t happened in New Zealand since the 1990s.”
Pearson, who’s been involved in the cattle export industry for decades, says animal welfare and safety standards have been steadily improving.
“It's a heavily regulated industry. For example, with stocking densities in the pens, every animal must be able to lie down and have room to move and stretch out.
“They've got to have access to water 24/7, and the cattle are usually fed twice a day.
“Sometimes they’re fed three times a day if we think the voyage is running smooth and we know we won’t be using our feed contingency.
“When there are rough seas, they sit down. There's space in these pens for them to sit down and rest and the cattle adjust and travel very well.”
Pearson talks about how the cattle are looked after excellently by qualified stockmen, and vets, who care deeply about the animals’ welfare.
At the end of the day, it’s in everyone’s best interests to see the animals arrive at their destination healthy and happy, Pearson says.
“It's simple because our clients want their cattle delivered in top-notch condition. They demand excellence.
“They want the animals to come and transition into the systems over there easily, so if we’re not doing this right, we’ll lose our clients.”
New Zealand's pest problem has reached crisis point, according to Federated Farmers' second National Pests Survey, which shows farmers are spending more money and effort on control — yet pest numbers keep climbing faster than they were two years ago.
Despite political shenanigans in Wellington, farmers are confident that Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms will get over the line in this term of Parliament.
The Government has announced it will pause key parts of Waikato Plan Change 1 (PC1) in a decision that is set to give Waikato farmers a reprieve from new consenting and farm-planning requirements while the wider resource management system is overhauled.
OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.
Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst and his family raised a glass of milk last week to toast the start of a new addition to their farming operation at Makihihi, south of Timaru.
An Auckland gelato shop and an established New Zealand ice cream maker have both been named Supreme Champions at the NZ Ice Cream & Gelato Awards 2026.
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put pressure on household grocery budgets, new figures show pork remains one of the most affordable fresh meat options for New Zealand families.
OPINION: In politics, credibility is and should be big. It must surely rank higher than charisma, which is quite trite and superficial. Yet, voters nowadays are often wooed and influenced by how someone looks or talks at a superficial level. TV plays a huge role in this.
Farmers can spend less time on paperwork, thanks to a new data sharing agreement between DairyNZ’s DairyBase and LIC’s MINDA software.
Kaikōura families affected by July's severe storm have found a practical solution to a problem that's kept some children away from regular schooling for weeks: a washed-out section of Inland Kaikōura Road, which has stopped the local school bus from running its usual route.
Rural New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s recent package of rural healthcare initiatives.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
