“Animal welfare matters,” says Carter, “because how we treat animals says something important about us as a society. It also matters for New Zealand’s reputation because our trading partners and international consumers rightly expect us to maintain high standards of animal welfare.”
A key proposal is that codes of welfare are replaced with a combination of regulations and guidelines. “Regulations will be directly enforceable in law. Guidelines will provide information and advice but will have no legal effect.”
The strategy release prompted Green Party animal welfare spokeswoman Mojo Mathers to call for animal welfare enforcement to be placed with an independent body, instead of MPI.
“There is an unreconcilable tension between protecting the needs of animals and benefiting from their exploitation. An independent commissioner for animal welfare would help remove this tension.”
Mathers says the strategy has some good elements but there is still “significant room for improvement.”
“This review gives New Zealand the opportunity to solidify its place as world leaders in agriculture and animal welfare.”
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) notes there are now 15 welfare codes. Chief executive officer Julie Hood says that while the codes are excellent documents, in reality their legal status is confusing. “They do not offer the level of protection animals in New Zealand deserve because they are hard to enforce.”
NZVA and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) back a mix of regulations and guidelines.
“We believe that clear statements about what is unacceptable are to be included as part of this process and what the ‘bottom line’ is in terms of animal welfare standards in order to meet the Animal Welfare Act,” says Hood.
“We understand this will be widely supported by industry. Farmers and other animal owners want to know [what] they have to comply with.”
Given most minimum standards reflect current practice, the majority of farmers already comply, she adds.
