Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard says the Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the “highest standards of animal welfare”.
“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of livestock exported by sea,” he says.
“We’ll amend the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to ensure exporters effectively manage animal welfare outcomes throughout the entire supply chain.”
Hoggard says the Government is committed to making sure when the trade is reinstated it has the highest standards of animal welfare.
“Changes to the Animal Welfare Act are only a part of that. While we progress legislation, we will continue to engage with experts in the industry and key animal welfare voices around operational details to understand how to best ensure high animal welfare outcomes throughout the process of exporting livestock by sea.
“This is a specialised trade, so it is important that we test details with those involved in the live export by sea system. This will inform decisions on regulations and standards.
“The public will have an opportunity to comment on these proposals through the release of a discussion document next year.
“Reinstating livestock exports by sea will provide additional export and income opportunities for farmers, benefiting New Zealand’s economy and rural communities.
“The export of livestock by sea has contributed to New Zealand’s economic prosperity and the trade was worth $374 million in 2022.”
Hoggard says the public will have the opportunity to comment on any legislative proposals when a Bill is considered by Select Committee in 2025.
The issue of live export gained prominence in 2020 when a ship that departed Napier carrying almost 6000 animals sank off the coast of Japan while en route to China.
It resulted in the deaths of 41 members of its crew, including two New Zealanders, and 5867 cattle. The previous Labour Government banned live export in early 2023.
Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack says the majority of Kiwis want the ban maintained.
“Targeted consultation with those who are involved in the live export of cattle by sea will not reflect the viewpoints of the more than 57,000 people who signed a petition against the reinstatement of live exports.
“The world is changing. Other countries like the UK and Australia have followed New Zealand’s lead and moved to ban live exports.
“Reinstating this practice will take New Zealand backwards.
“The Government should be taking this seriously, listening to the overwhelming public feedback and not wasting taxpayer money on a regime that might not even go ahead.”
New Zealand animal welfare lobby group Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE) is condemning the Government’s move to reinstate live exports, labelling it a “betrayal of public trust and a devastating step backward for animal rights”.
“The Government is backtracking on promises of transparency by rushing this legislation through without proper public consultation,” SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton says.
“The Government’s move to reinstate live export is an affront to New Zealanders’ values.
“This trade is irredeemably cruel, and no regulatory tweaks can ever make it humane.”
Ashton says earlier this year, more than 57,000 people signed a petition calling on the Government to protect the existing ban on live export by sea.
“The Government appears more focused on expediting this horrific trade than listening to the voices of New Zealanders.
“The decision-making process has shifted suddenly and without explanation. This lack of clarity and accountability undermines public trust in the policymaking process, raising serious concerns about whether due process is being followed.”
SAFE is calling on Prime Minister and Botany MP Christopher Luxon to withdraw National’s support for the policy and restore New Zealand’s commitment to “upholding robust standards of animal welfare on the world stage”.
