New Zealanders oppose plans to resume live sheep trade
Monday 23 March 2009, 10:09PM
By WSPA
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Only 26% of New Zealanders believe the country’s live sheep trade should resume, according to research released today by The Nielsen Company.
Programmes manager for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Bridget Vercoe, said the live transport of animals for slaughter is one of the greatest causes of animal suffering in the world.
Despite efforts by a number of governments to improve the welfare of transported livestock, it is impossible to prevent the inherent suffering of animals transported long distances by sea.
In 2006, Australia, the world’s largest exporter of sheep for slaughter exported more than four million sheep to the Middle East. Almost 37,000 of these animals died during the gruelling land and sea journeys from pneumonia, salmonellosis and starvation, she said.
``New Zealand’s Customs Exports Prohibition (Livestock for Slaughter) Order has been cited as an example for other countries to follow, and the Government applauded for its forward-thinking stance on this issue.’’
``It would be a shame to see New Zealand’s international reputation as a responsible exporter damaged in exchange for allowing the business aspirations of one company to be met.’’
``The long distance transportation of animals for slaughter falls well short of providing animals with the level of protection now demanded by most developed countries, and runs counter to New Zealand’s pioneering animal welfare legislation,’’ Ms Vercoe said.
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Note to editors:
Sheep exported to the Middle East from New Zealand face a journey of more than 20 days.
The two most disastrous examples of livestock exports for Australasia are the Cormo Express which resulted in the death of 5,692 sheep and the MV Becruz, which resulted in the death of 865 cattle and 1,437 sheep.
New Zealand’s Customs Exports Prohibition (Livestock for Slaughter) Order explicitly prohibits all exports of livestock for slaughter unless approval is obtained on a specific case-by-case basis direct from the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Factors the Director General may take into account when considering exemptions, include making sure the importing country meets relevant OIE guidelines relating to the slaughter, unloading, post-journey handling and transport of livestock. Exporters will also, in accordance with the requirements of New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999, need to satisfy the Director General as to the conditions for international transport of livestock up until the point of disembarkation. Where livestock are being transported by sea there maybe a requirement that a MAF-accredited veterinarian accompany the shipment, experienced stockmen are on board and provision is made for rapid disembarkation and, if required, quarantine.