Govt approved animal cruelty

[Lilith7]

Absolutely monstrous! After all the work to get this cruel practice stopped, this greed blinded idiot govt is about to reinstate the live export of animals.

Our international reputation appears to be rapidly descending down the toilet at a great rate of knots.  

They just appear to be hell bent on removing anything done by the previous govt, regardless of the harm it causes.


https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/50039...government


"For years, New Zealand exported cattle to China to help build their dairy herd, with nearly 135,000 cattle exported in 2021.
In April, Labour banned livestock exports, after an independent review found they could damage New Zealand's reputation regarding animal welfare.

National promised it would restart live exports, with 'gold standard' rules to protect animal welfare and safety.

Livestock Export New Zealand chairperson Mark Willis said the industry had been working on animal welfare rules for a while.

"Since Labour announced the ban (in September 2022), the industry has been working with the Ministry for Primary Industries on a weekly basis to improve welfare standards."


https://safe.org.nz/blog-articles/if-ele...ort-trade/

"The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee recommended a ban on live export by sea, which was supported by animal welfare experts at SAFE, SPCA, World Animal Protection and many others.

 

Prior to the 2023 ban on live animal export by sea, animals were made to endure rough seas, injuries, and prolonged periods standing in their own excrement during transportation.

Transport by sea exposes animals to prolonged floor motion. Research in sheep has found that the animals demonstrate both behavioural and physiological signs that such movement causes stress.

Another study found that floor motion decreased rumination and lying time, and increased aggression and stress behaviour.

Not only are there health and welfare concerns during transport, but the welfare and treatment of the animals once they arrive at their destination are likely to be worse than their treatment in New Zealand.

Animals were often shipped to countries with low or no animal welfare legislation. Former Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), Dr John Hellstrom, stated that:

“The reality is they are mainly going to large feedlot operations, where there is high mortality and poor fertility. The way they treat bobby calves shouldn’t be mentioned in public, and they don’t have any significant welfare protocols for transport or slaughter.”

In 2019 the live export industry made up a very small proportion of primary production in value. At the time, the total live export industry contributed only 0.51% to all primary production income and only 0.78% of the value of animal product exports. Live exports by sea only made up 23% of the industry.

Several countries are already following in New Zealand’s footsteps by also moving away from live animal exports due to the significant animal welfare concerns associated with this practice. Australia, Luxembourg, Brazil, and the European Union are all considering or have taken steps to phase out live animal exports, with high levels of public support for such measures.

Animal welfare standards have also been given consideration during Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the United Kingdom and the European Union."