Government review of live export trade doesn’t go far enough

The Government’s plan for a possible ban on the live export of cattle doesn’t go far enough, according to animal rights organisation SAFE.

In a statement released on Tuesday, June 6, 2019, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor indicated the Government was considering several options following a review of the export of live animals. The Minister ordered the review after SAFE contacted him in January 2019 with evidence of the severe suffering of New Zealand cows in Sri Lanka.

SAFE Head of Campaigns Marianne Macdonald said this is a good first step, but much more action is needed.

“We’re pleased to see that the Agriculture Minister is taking the welfare of live animals who are exported seriously. However, a ban on the export of live cattle will not go far enough,” said Ms Macdonald.

“It ignores the millions of other animals exported every year, most of whom are day old chicks, who are caged and then slaughtered in conditions so cruel that they would be illegal in New Zealand.”

ABC News in April 2019 exposed the plight of the hundreds of New Zealand and Australian cows found diseased, sick and dying in Sri Lanka. Live export corporation Wellard Ltd shipped 5,000 New Zealand and Australian cows in a deal with the Sri Lankan Government to set up dairy farms.

“New Zealand exports millions of animals every year to countries whose animal welfare, transport and slaughter standards are below ours,” said Ms Macdonald.

“This is a crucial time to make a positive change for animals in the live export trade. The Government must show compassion to animals and ban all live export of farmed animals.”

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• Sign the petition asking our Government to ban the live export of farmed animals to countries that have lower animal welfare, transport and slaughter standards than New Zealand.