Live exports debate not dead yet - Nats

On the day the policy was announced by National, the ban on live exports by Labour took effect, with the last ship sailing from New Plymouth.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard is one of those to come out in of support National’s policy. He thinks it’s a good thing – especially if there is an excellent standard of care on the journey.

Hoggard says from what he’s heard, this is the case and he points out the last disaster, when a ship sank, was by all accounts due to mechanical and human error.

Hoggard says even with live exports it’ll still be hard and frustrating for farmers to dispose of their bobby calves – especially in relation to getting killing space at freezing works. He says there is a risk of lower prices.

“Suddenly, if we are going to push through 200,000 extra calves without live exports, it could mean even lower prices for farmers.”

Hoggard questions claims that live animal exports threaten NZ’s export credentials and says if there were any problems, that would be a reason for putting a ban back in place.

“I think, sometimes NZ makes up justifications for other countries to put trade barriers against us,” he adds. “We should be championing what we do, not coming up with excuses for other countries to put us down.”

Unhappy about National’s plans is the group Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA).

While the collective calls itself ‘veterinarians’, it actually includes other non-vets such as animal welfare advocates, animal welfare scientists, and other non-veterinary and body corporate members. Founding members include well-known farming critics – such as former Fish and Game head Bryce Johnson and ecologist Mike Joy.

Group spokesperson and veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie claims animal welfare is not political and should not be used as a vote-chasing, political football. She says it’s disappointing to hear that National would consider reinstating livestock exports.

“Irrespective of vessels being purpose built, animals would still be subjected to sea journeys of up to three weeks and a journey across the equator,” Beattie claims.

“Managing cattle welfare in these circumstances while maintaining an economically viable model would be extremely difficult and for that reason could never be classed as ‘gold standard’.”