Tuesday, 15 May 2018 09:26

Hui on animal welfare

Written by 
Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri.  Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri. 

An all-day hui, to discuss the priorities of the country’s animal welfare groups, has been called for next month by the Associate Minister of Agriculture the Meka Whaitiri. 

The hui in Auckland aims to follow up on a promise made by Whaitiri after she announced Government policy not to ban rodeos in March.

Whaitiri says she’s keen to hear the views and priorities of the country’s animal advocates on issues on everything from the care of pigs to welfare issues around pets. 

“I want everything to be on the table for discussion. I also want this to be a chance for our animal advocates to hear from spokespeople for our Government partners the Greens and New Zealand First.

“This year I have already moved to strengthen the protections for our animals with a raft of new regulations that covered everything from banning fireworks at rodeos to tightening the controls on how stock are transported to slaughter plants. These regulations have already been welcomed by many.

“I have also supported the work of my advisory group NAWAC in their investigation into the role of animals in entertainment.”

Whaitiri says as the dedicated animal welfare minister in this Government she wants to better outcomes for animals. 

This goes to the heart of our international reputation as one of the world leaders for animal welfare outcomes in farming systems, she adds.   

“It will be up to the hui on June 8 to decide what they think are the really important issues that we need to develop and debate in the coming years,” says Whaitiri.

More like this

PETA wants web cams in shearing sheds

Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.

Painting the cow red

OPINION: How do you get people to stop drinking milk and switch to foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains?

Home detention for animal neglect

A Taranaki dairy farmer received four-month home detention and was disqualified from overseeing of animals for 18 months over a lack of feed and welfare which led to some animals being euthanised.

Featured

People expos set to return

Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers  the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.

SustaiN lands NZ registration

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN – which contains a urease inhibitor that reduces the amount of ammonia released to the air – has now been registered by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). It is the first fertiliser in New Zealand to achieve this status.

National

Chilled cow cuts enter China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports into China following approval of its Levin and Mataura plants…

New CEO for Safer Farms

Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief…

Machinery & Products

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sacrificed?

OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter