Media releases

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has confirmed that the poultry codes of welfare will be the next to be reviewed. This includes the codes of welfare for layer hens, chickens bred for their meat, and breeder birds. SAFE has been calling for an urgent review of the layer...

The New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) and SAFE say rodeo activities violate the Animal Welfare Act 1999. NZALA and SAFE’s case against the Agriculture Minister and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee will be heard on 11 and 12 July 2022 at the Wellington High Court. Read more

SAFE is urging kiwis who want to see the caging of pigs banned to make their thoughts known on the draft code of welfare for pigs. The draft, put out by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, proposes a ban on farrowing crates or...

The Racing Integrity Board has charged three people including two trainers in relation to two greyhounds that had tested positive for methamphetamine. SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe said it’s alarming that greyhounds are still testing positive for methamphetamine. Read more

An overladen ship crammed with 15,800 sheep capsized on Sunday off Sudan’s Red Sea coast, just days before Ban Live Exports International Day of Awareness, taking place today. The livestock vessel was heading from Sudan’s port of Suakin to Saudi Arabia when it ran into trouble in the Red Sea,...

The agriculture sector’s plan to avoid the emissions trading scheme relies on band-aid solutions and unproven technologies and neglects the destructive impacts of intensive dairy farming in Aotearoa. Deer, sheep and beef farms will face the greatest impact from He Waka Eke Noa, which is disproportionate to the impacts of...

Greyhound Racing New Zealand’s (GRNZ) most recent quarterly report to the Racing Minister suggests there may still be “unnecessary” euthanasia occurring under the banner of behavioural issues, or medical euthanasia for illness or injury. The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) also uncovered a potential causal link between poor racing performance and...

TikTok video demonstrates the gratuitous violence of pig hunting Source: SAFE For Animals — A graphic video uploaded to TikTok last year shows a frightened pig mauled by six dogs. The dogs can be seen biting and latching onto the pig’s head, ears, and neck. Read more

New Zealand King Salmon has revealed a 42% mortality rate for salmon they farmed in warm water areas in their financial year ending 31 January 2022. For the salmon towed to cooler water the mortality rate was 37%. SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo said it’s an animal welfare disaster....

Government investment in plant-based food company a step in the right direction Source: SAFE For Animals — The Government announced on Tuesday that Sustainable Foods Ltd, which produces the plant-based food brand ‘plan-t’, will receive Government backing with a $1.25 million loan from the Regional Strategic Partnership Fund. Read more

SAFE is launching its “Forgotten Victims of Factory Farming” campaign today and demanding a code of welfare for farmed fishes. Fishes are the only farmed animal in Aotearoa with no code of welfare. This lack of regulation is creating an animal welfare disaster on an enormous scale. Read more

SAFE’s petition calling for a Commissioner for Animals in Aotearoa has attained thousands of signatures since its launch on 3 May 2022. The petition highlights the need for an independent voice for animals at the highest level and is supported by animal groups across the country. Read more

The Government has announced no meaningful plan to reduce emissions in agriculture, instead opting to invest in more research projects. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has previously stated that climate change is “one of the greatest challenges of our time” and that we must “act with urgency”. Read more

On Tuesday, following a race at Addington Raceway, greyhound ‘Epic Addi’ was found to have a displaced compound fracture of the right fore ulna and radius, with soft tissue damage up to the elbow joint. Eight greyhounds have died on racetracks to date this season, with five of the eight...