Vets Back Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare Changes: NZVA
Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.
A welcome relief – that’s how the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) is describing the decision to include veterinarians on the new Government Green List.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Green List which is designed to provide a streamlined and prioritised pathway to residency, incentivising highly skilled workers to relocate to New Zealand long term.
The list includes 85 hard-to-fill roles, including veterinarians, to help attract and retain high-skilled workers to alleviate skill shortages.
NZVA chief executive Kevin Bryant says he welcomes the news, adding it was urgently required to help tackle the current workforce shortage in veterinary practices across the country.
“Veterinary professionals have been under incredible pressure ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began," Bryant says. "Being included on the Green List will make it much easier to actively recruit highly-skilled veterinarians to work here."
Visa extensions have also been announced for approximately 20,000 migrants already in New Zealand to ensure skilled workers can stay in the country.
Fonterra Co-operative Group chief financial officer Andrew Murray has resigned to take up a role outside the dairy giant.
A major move is about to get underway to improve the quality and viability of dairy beef and cattle in NZ.
Veterinarians say changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle provides a positive foundation for improved cattle welfare across the country.
Today, 15 October, is the International Day of Rural Women, which recognises rural women’s contribution to farming, communities and the environment.
Global dairy giant Lactalis has integrated its Australian operations with the Mainland Dairy consumer business it acquired from Fonterra earlier this year.
High country stations, mixed sheep and beef farms, Māori-owned farms, corporates and family operations are among the nine commercial farms taking part in the Livestock Innovation Farming Transformation programme, known as LIFT.

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…