Media releases

Ticking timebomb: SAFE calls for urgent action for salmon ahead of marine heatwave Source: SAFE For Animals — SAFE is calling for urgent action to protect vulnerable farmed salmon, ahead of what NIWA has predicted to be a “significant” marine heatwave this summer. Read more

SAFE is urgently renewing calls for a Commissioner for Animals, following the Ministry for Primary Industries’ investigation into heat stress-related deaths of several pigs on a livestock truck earlier this year. The deaths occurred aboard a livestock truck and trailer operated by Te Awamutu company Osborne’s Transport, which arrived at...

Despite strong opposition from community groups and environmental and animal welfare organisations, New Zealand King Salmon’s controversial bid for an open ocean salmon farm in the Cook Strait has won resource consent from Marlborough District Council. Read more

SAFE is calling on the Government to put an end to all caged-hen farming in New Zealand, warning that without such action, the country will be left behind on global animal welfare standards. In recent weeks, the media has been abuzz with discussion around the demise of the ‘cage age’...

SAFE is urging the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to reconsider plans for a proposed land-based salmon farm in light of growing animal welfare concerns with fish farming. The $16.7 million project, led by Mt Cook Alpine Salmon and backed by MPI, is reportedly set to be developed in the...

SAFE is urgently renewing calls for a Commissioner for Animals, following MPI’s lacklustre response to images of thin to emaciated cows, taken on two separate farms in recent weeks. SAFE received images via its 0800 EXPOSE programme, which showed thin cattle on a farm near Palmerston. The images were passed...

Top greyhound trainer John McInerney has escaped charges on a technicality following the Racing Integrity Board’s (RIB) investigation into 11 greyhounds taken to a Christchurch rehoming facility earlier this year. The RIB found that one dog had an injury that should have been diagnosed earlier, and subsequently needed two partial...

With more severe weather expected, SAFE is urging farmers to take immediate measures to protect newborn lambs. Heavy snowfall overnight has left countless lambs at the mercy of the freezing conditions. SAFE Head of Investigations Will Appelbe said farming practices have to change. “Every year, lambs born in the late...

Another greyhound has tested positive for methamphetamine in the racing industry. The drug was detected in June 2022 in Palmerston North only after the trainer used a string of excuses to delay the urine swab by two hours. SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo said methamphetamine detections in the greyhound...

New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS) has reported a $24.5 million loss for its half-year earnings, of which it says a major contributor was a January mortality event. A 25% mortality rate for NZKS farms is considered standard for the company, and NZKS is forecasting a 38.8% mortality rate. Read more

The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill passed its third reading last night, which will give effect to a ban on live export. All exports of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep by sea will stop on 30 April 2023. SAFE Chief Executive Debra Ashton said it’s a relief that animals will soon...

Opposition MP’s out of touch on live export Source: SAFE For Animals — Fiery debate was heard in parliament during the third reading of the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, which will give effect to a ban on live export. National MP Barbera Kuriger said the select committee process saw presentations...

Last month, SAFE launched a campaign shining a light on agriculture’s dirty secret; the production of foetal bovine serum (FBS), which involves killing cows during pregnancy and draining blood from unborn calves. Today, SAFE has published its open letter in the Dominion Post, calling for a ban on the commercial...

Information obtained through Official Information Act requests has revealed that as many as ten times more animals could be dying shortly after live export voyages compared with during the journey. SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said the information was shocking, given the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) only publishes data based...