FarmerGeddon

Heard the term Farmergeddon? You will. It's a term coined to describe the terrifying scenario that is becoming a modern day reality thanks to scientists hell-bent on messing up the world and meddling with Mother Nature. We should be very worried since scientists plan to genetically engineer all sorts of potential trouble in our motherland.

Crown Research Institute, AgResearch, has submitted four highly ambiguous and potentially dangerous applications that, if approved, are said to pose the single biggest ever threat to farm animals, New Zealand's cultural identity, and our international image. Experts say genetic engineering (GE) is dangerous and has the potential to introduce new strains of harmful viruses along with the creation of Frankenstein-like animal mutations.

AgResearch plans to conduct broad-ranging genetic experiments on cows, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, llama, horses, rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens. They even propose to use cells taken from humans and monkeys. We know from previous GE experiments that genetically engineered animals are prone to increased levels of suffering and premature death.

SAFE has joined forces with GE Free New Zealand and the Soil and Health Association to oppose AgResearch's plans to genetically engineer animals in New Zealand. We have until 31 October to make submissions to ERMA to oppose AgResearch's applications and have our say. SAFE has made it easy by listing key points that you can include. Your submission can be little more than a letter outlining why ERMA should not approve these applications. Please take 30 minutes to help protect animals and ensure New Zealand doesn't become an unholy testing ground for some foolhardy scientists thinking they can gamble with our lives.
Anthony Terry
Director

Predicting the worse offense

I'm going to share a prediction with you. Ronald Frew and Geoffrey Donald will go free despite facing serious charges that could incur a three-year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine. If I am right, they will get neither. At best, they may receive a meagre fine - $500 or so. Such an outcome will have them celebrating. Victorious, they may toast their good fortune with family with bubbly and a good hearty meal, steak no doubt. The good stuff too. No stewy braised rumps for these guys.

Being farmers, Ronald Frew and Geoffrey Donald are expected to know how to treat animals well. Experienced farmers are supposed to know all sorts of things, including how to deal with sick or injured animals. I'm no farmer but I do know what to do when an animal needs help. I take them to a vet.

Frew and Donald, being farmers, have a different approach. One of the pair was allegedly driving a tractor when pulled over by a Police officer. The officer was shocked to see an extremely distressed cow impaled on the fork of the front-end loader. The Ohakune sergeant described it as one of the most "barbaric and offensive" acts he had ever seen. On investigation, the sergeant discovered the farm manager had attempted to kill the sick cow by shooting the animal in the side of the head. The sergeant ordered the farmer to destroy the animal immediately. Unbelievably, a second shot to the head also failed. Finally, the farmer slit the animal's throat, resulting in death.

The officer said the incident was so offensive even hardened policemen at his station did not want to hear the details. That poor animal endured an unimaginable and agonising death. At least one of these guys deserves jail for such gross incompetence and callousness. I hope the judge will prove me wrong. If not, please write to your newspaper. We must remind the courts to treat animal cruelty charges like any other serious criminal offence. These cases always leave me wondering what does an animal have to endure to ensure an animal-abusing scumbag receives the maximum appropriate sentence?
Anthony Terry
Director

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A bitter disappointment

The minister responsible for animal welfare in New Zealand is such a bitter disappointment. The Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, is empowered to protect animals in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 1999. Instead, he seems to place higher priority on lucrative agriculture opportunities (farming more animals) than adequately funding crucial animal welfare initiatives.

A recent article published in The New Zealand Farmers Weekly reveals that MAF's on-the-ground animal welfare response team is cash strapped and struggling to do its job. It is failing to properly manage animal welfare complaints being reported to it from throughout the country. Cases of animals being starved, neglected, abused or left without adequate shelter are not being properly managed and certainly are not being prosecuted.

According to official 2007 statistics, there were 4.4 million cattle; 5.2m dairy cows; 1.4m deer; 38.5m sheep; 355,000 pigs and 73,000 goats and horses kept on farms across the country. Add a further 90 million chickens farmed indoors. MAF officers have similar powers to the New Zealand Police. They have the authority to investigate, seize property, order immediate veterinary supervision and prosecute. The problem is they are woefully under resourced. With a staggering 140 million farmed animals how many MAF officers would be adequate? 100? 200? 500? How about a paltry five, would you believe!

MAF Enforcement's annual budget is a meagre $860,000. The Minister of Agriculture lamely sympathised and apologised that there were no more funds available. However, just last month the Minister proudly announced a $700 million grant to effectively finance agriculture ventures and a further $23 million for a farm identification scheme. It has the agriculture sector gloating while over-worked animal welfare officers remain buried in cases of abuse. It is reprehensible and we must act. Please write to the Minister demanding that he immediately allocate sufficient funds towards animal welfare starting with the immediate employment of more animal welfare enforcement officers.

Anthony Terry
Director

Write to:
Hon Jim Anderton
Minister of Agriculture, Parliament Buildings, Wellington (Free Post)

Email the Minister or phone: 04 471 9011 or fax: 04 495 8441

PLEASE send a copy of your letter to: Dr David Bayvel. Director Animal Welfare. MAF Biosecurity, PO Box 2526, Wellington. Fax: 04 498 9888 or Email.

Click here to read The New Zealand Farmers Weekly story.