Concerns expressed about possible restart of New Zealand

The New Zealand government may restart the live animal export trade, which has been banned since May 1, 2023.

The ban was imposed in response to veterinarians, animal welfare advocates and the New Zealand public condemning the conditions and outcomes for the animals. There have also been several disasters for the industry.

Animal welfare group SPCA says politicians who claim to be champions of agriculture and business do not have the support of all farmers or a business case for it.

“The government wants the public to believe that any opposition to their plan is anti-agriculture,” said Dr. Arnja Dale, Chief Scientific Officer of SPCA. “It’s about animal welfare and farmers agree with that.”

SPCA says New Zealand’s live export lobby is made up of companies, some with co-directors registered at addresses in China and Australia. It is unclear what value live animal exports would bring to the economy, but before the ban it represented about half a percent of New Zealand’s primary sector export earnings. Meanwhile, market commentators say domestic demand for dairy in China has declined as the country approaches self-sufficiency.

SPCA is hearing from farmers who are angry about the photos showing animals on board ships, caked in feces and without the space to exhibit normal behavior.

Waikato dairy farmer Chris Falconer has signed the parliamentary petition to protect the ban. “I don’t understand how they can polish this shit. There may be a few extra boxes to be ticked, but it’s still a miserable situation for the animals.

“My farm is my business, so the first lens I apply is does it compromise our values ​​– not is it financially viable – does it compromise our values ​​and if it does – it is a nonstarter.”

Pete Morgan from South Waikato describes himself as a mainstream, profit-oriented dairy farmer who works by the book. He says he relies on a mix of robust science and first-hand experience to improve animal welfare. “Happy, healthy animals are much more productive. Live export is outdated. The decision to ban them is morally right; it is appropriate for the market and it is appropriate for optimizing profitability.”

It’s not just the conditions on boats that make farmers very uncomfortable. Morgan says his farming colleagues agree that placing animals on foreign farms, where they will not have the continued protection they have in New Zealand, could be overt abuse.

A petition led by John Hellstrom (retired veterinarian, former Chief Veterinary Officer of MAF (now MPI), former Chairman of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee), supported by advocacy groups such as SAFE, SPCA, HUHA, VAWA, Animals Aotearoa, World Animal Protection and Animal Policy International has collected more than 33,000 signatures.

Many New Zealanders remember the Gulf Livestock 1 sinking in 2020. When the ship sank after leaving the Kiwi coast, all the livestock on board (nearly 6,000 pregnant cows) and more than 40 crew members were killed.

Some recent animal welfare disasters include:

2024

Greece: 6,800 sheep and lambs; Dame Maria. The ship foundered off the coast of Greece after running aground.

South Africa: 56,000 sheep; Al Messilah. Outbreak of infectious diseases on the feed lot prior to loading, with only those showing clinical signs removed from the feed lot.

Indonesia: vessel capacity for 2,200-4,500 cattle; Brahman Express. More than 150 cattle die on the route between Australia and Indonesia.

South Africa: 19,000 cattle; MV Al Kuwait. The overwhelming stench prompts inspection, revealing sick and injured animals and an extreme accumulation of feces and urine.

Australia: 14,000 sheep and 2,500 cattle; MV Bahia. The ship foundered off the Australian coast after being ordered to turn back due to armed conflict in the Red Sea. Animals that are re-exported to Israel via a longer route.

2023

Australia: 3,600 cattle; Brahman Express. Fire in engine room – ship had to return to port.

Australia: 1,800 cattle; Nine Eagle. Major engine failure – animals returned to Australia after six days at sea.

2022

France: 780 bulls; Nadar A. Turned away from port and stranded at sea – killed for welfare reasons.

New Zealand: 12,300 cattle; MV Al Kuwait. The ship broke down en route to pick up livestock waiting in isolation before export – cattle became stranded and welfare issues were reported.

Sudan: 15,000 sheep; Badri 1. Ship sank – death by drowning.

2021

Suez Canal: 20 ships carrying animals (unknown numbers). Channel blocked – ships stranded at sea with insufficient food and water.

Spain: 1,700 cattle and 864 young bulls; Elbeik and Karim Allah. Culled for welfare reasons after three months at sea.

2020

New Zealand: 6,000 pregnant cows; Gulf Livestock 1. Ship capsized – death by drowning.

2019

Romania: 14,000 sheep; Queen Hind. Ship capsized – death by drowning.

2018

Australia: 4,327 dairy heifers; MV Jawan. The ship is returning to port in an emergency after it started to rock violently due to stability problems.

2017

Australia: 2,400 sheep; Awassi Express. Died on board – heat stress.

2015

Brazil: 5,000 cattle; Haider. Ship capsized – death by drowning.

2014

Australia: 4,200 sheep; Bader III. Died on board – heat stress.