Live export ban sinks hopes of sector despite opposition

The move ignored official advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries saying banning live exports would cause an economic loss and make recovery from Covid-19 more difficult in the rural communities where livestock exports provided an additional source of income. Live exports are estimated to earn the country nearly $500 million in annual export revenue.

O'Connor claims the ban on live exports by sea will, "protect New Zealand's reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards".

The legislation introducing the ban was vigorously opposed by both National and Act.

"Despite the overwhelming evidence that the ban was a bad idea, David O'Connor has pushed ahead," Act's agriculture spokesman Mark Cameron says. "Farmers kept the economy going through Covid. All it gets in return from Labour are policies that punish them."

O'Connor says the Government started a review of the livestock export trade in 2019 in response to concerns the trade could be a risk to New Zealand's reputation. This followed the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 in which two New Zealanders died and thousands of cattle were lost.

"This Bill reinforces and builds on New Zealand's reputation as a safe and ethical producer of high-quality food products," O'Connor claims.

"It protects the reputation of not just our farmrs now, but the farmers of the future who want to commit to livestock farming, assured that we are the best managers and producers of ethical animal protein for the world."

National's animal welfare spokesperson Nicola Grigg says the ban has robbed NZ of an opportunity to shape welfare standards in the global trade of live animals.

"The live export trade will continue whether or not New Zealand is part of it," she says.

"Now, unfortunately, other countries with less rigorous animal welfare standards will make up for the gap in the market as New Zealand withdraws."

Grigg says despite the Government downplaying the economic impact of the ban it cannot be overlooked or underestimated. She says an Infometrics economic impact report says it will reduce New Zealand's GDP by $472 million per year and cost breeders between $49,000 and $116,000 per farm per year.

O'Connor dismisses the economic impact saying it will be "small in the context of NZ's total primary sector exports".

"However, I do acknowledge the small number who are directly affected by these changes."

Both Act and National believe a better course of action, rather than a total ban, would have been to ensure animal welfare standards were upheld and to continue the trade under an improved regulatory Gold Standard

Developed in 2020, the Gold Standard is a 12-point regulation framework to improve and modernise the live export system. At its heart is the assurance of the good physical and mental health in animals, including freedom from stress and good nutrition.

Grigg says National has consistently proposed amendments for the Government to consider - everything from licensing mechanisms and exporter/importer certification mechanisms.

She says if National can form a government next year, it will commit to reviewing the ban.