A Palmerston North man has been jailed and his wife fined $30,000 after pleading guilty to a total of 20 charges relating to the abuse of cows and calves in their care.

Scabby mouth is also called contagious ecthyma, or contagious pustular dermatitis.

New regulations on caring for cows while they are off-paddock have taken effect.

The code of welfare for dairy cattle has been amended to address behavioural needs and off-paddock systems, says the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

Most farmers are well prepared for the new disbudding and dehorning regulations which will take effect on October 1.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is setting up a ‘taskforce’ on the animal welfare issues of winter grazing.

Meat eaters shouldn’t relinquish all advocacies on animal welfare to lobby groups, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.

DairyNZ Director Ben Allomes says farmers need to change with the times and adopt practices that are good for their animals and the environment.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is establishing a taskforce to respond to the animal welfare issues associated with the practice of winter grazing.

With exports of animal or animal products valued at $28.6 billion (year to June 2018), MPI says New Zealand needs high animal welfare standards to protect our reputation worldwide.