News

A conditional prohibition on livestock exports is ”potentially” the best option to protect exported animals and New Zealand’s reputation, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says. In a Cabinet paper just released on the proposed review of the live export trade, Mr O’Connor presented five options prepared by MPI, one being a...

The presentation to Parliament of a petition to end the “forced swim test” has not changed the University of Otago’s view the practice has value. Animal rights groups Safe and the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society presented 25,000 signatures to Parliament on Friday. Read more

A Cabinet paper from the Agriculture Minister’s office on the then proposed review of the live export trade was released last week. The paper proposes five options, which include the Minister’s preferred option of a conditional ban, and a complete prohibition of the trade of live animal exports. Read more

A controversial export of 4700 live cattle has left Napier and is en route to China, after the Ministry for Primary Industries allowed it to go ahead. Director Animal Health and Welfare, Chris Rodwell, said the decision had been made following “a thorough inspection by MPI vets”. Read more

A campaign to ban the Forced Swim Test in New Zealand is in line with public opinion, according to a new survey commissioned by the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) and SAFE. The Forced Swim Test forces small animals such as rats or mice to swim in an inescapable beaker...

A live export ship is due to berth at Napier Port today, despite widespread calls to halt the live export trade while it is under review. According to Napier Port’s website, live export carrier Ganado Express is scheduled to berth at Napier Port today. Read more

New footage shows cows chasing after a trailer and repeatedly calling for their calves, as the baby animals are removed. This follows footage released by winter cropping campaigners, showing a calf being roughly thrown into a trailer and another one kicked. Read more

A 25,000 strong petition was presented to Parliament today, on World Animal Day, urging a total ban on the Forced Swim Test. The Forced Swim Test involves forcing small animals such as rats or mice to swim in an inescapable beaker of water until they ‘give up’ and float. Read...

The Government’s review of the live export trade ignores 99% of exported farmed animals. A Cabinet paper from Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s office on the then proposed review of the live export trade was released last week. The paper proposes five options, which include the Minister’s preferred option of a...

This Friday, 27 September, is a Global Strike organised by the School Strike for Climate (SS4C) movement. Already this year SS4C NZ have organised two national strikes where school and university students around the country have walked out of school to protest the inaction on climate change. On Friday 20...

Dear SAFE Members, As per our previous notice, I invite you to attend the 2019 SAFE Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Saturday 12 October at 3PM, Auaha Hīhī / Spark Place, He Hononga | Connection, Ground floor, Tūranga, 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch. Please note doors will open...

A ship which will be used to carry thousands of cows to China has berthed in Napier without the required export certification. Napier’s Port. Photo: 123rf The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says until it’s satisfied the Yangtze Fortune meets animal welfare conditions, the export certificate won’t be issued.

Animal rights advocates gathered in Napier, as a controversial live export ship docked at the port on Monday. If approved by the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Yangtze Fortune will carry 4700 cattle from Napier to China, the fourth live export ship to leave the city this year. Learn More:...

A ship under investigation after a possible biosecurity breach in Australia is due to dock in Napier on Sunday to pick up 4700 live cattle to take to China. The live export ship, the Yangtze Fortune, was prevented from carrying 5000 cattle from Australia to China in August, after an...