A Southland dairy farmer is likely to face animal welfare charges – though a farming leader is accusing the Ministry for Primary Industries of throwing the farmer under a bus.
Federated Farmers Southland provincial president Jason Herrick has visited the farm and met the farmer. He said conditions were wet after several weeks of rain, but the farmer was coping and had a plan.
He said the MPI responded to a social media campaign initiated by an environmental activist and has withheld information from the media that provides context around the case.
“They’ve thrown him under the bus in the media and withheld relevant information. It’s appalling.
“They’re treating him like the worst farmer in the world.”
The MPI’s director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said that the public is rightly interested in the welfare of animals and the MPI has provided factual information about actions to address the issues it found.
“While our investigations are ongoing and prosecution for animal welfare offences is likely, our top priority for now is ensuring the animals’ wellbeing and we will take further action where required,” Burrell said.
MPI staff visited the property in late June following a complaint from a member of the public. Burrell said the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators have now visited the property 13 times for assessment, monitoring or inspection and employed a dairy farm consultant and independent vets to assist.
The MPI said the initial complaint was made by a member of the public, but Herrick alleges a social media campaign was instigated by an environmental activist who publicised the farm’s address and urged followers to complain.
Herrick declined to name the activist but said he has been touring Southland photographing and publicising cases of what he deems are poor winter grazing practices.
The farm’s stock water system is under pressure but Herrick said it is coping, and the farm has previously passed regional council and dairy company audits.
The MPI told the media it had ordered seven heifers be euthanised, but Herrick said they were calves.
The farmer had bought cattle, many of which were young, from a Canterbury farm that was in receivership and which arrived on the farm just nine days prior to the MPI arriving.
As with any herd, there was variation in condition and Herrick said some were light but had been seen by a vet and the owner was following a plan to boost their condition.
The media were told the MPI had ordered the farmer to remove 90 cows but Herrick said they were moved as planned for calving, which Burrell has acknowledged.
MPI staff were at the farm again on July 26.
“They were very good to deal with but they seemed to be there to tick boxes,” said Herrick.
He said he fears the MPI’s response has empowered environmental and animal welfare activists to use social media to encourage supporters to complain and prompt an official response.
Burrell said in recent weeks the MPI has proactively visited 20 Southland farms to look at winter grazing practices and has found the “greater majority of farmers are doing it well”.
