Federated Farmers want to see the return of cattle exports but are firmly of the view that animal welfare and New Zealand’s international reputation must be protected first.
That’s the clear position Richard McIntyre, the organisation’s animal welfare spokesperson, stepped through this week on the Federated Farmers Podcast.
“We want to see the Government give live exports of cattle the green light again soon, but there are a few concerns about animal welfare that will need to be addressed first.
“There need to be assurances that any animal being exported will be safe and comfortable not just on their journey, but at their destination too.”
National, ACT and NZ First all committed during election campaigning to reversing the ban on animal exports – which came into effect last April – and putting in place enhanced animal welfare standards.
Acknowledging many people, including farmers, have concerns about the export of animals, McIntyre says scrutiny of the industry is a positive thing.
“I actually think it’s a really good thing that there’s been a lot of discussion about cattle exports because it shows just how concerned New Zealanders are about animal welfare.
“They want to know that the animals leaving our country are going to have a good voyage and that they’ll be treated well at their destination country too.
“Federated Farmers share those views. That’s why we’re 100% supportive of the sector-initiated ‘Gold Standard’ animal welfare precautions put forward as a caveat on any shipments from our shores.”
Prior to the previous Government’s ban, live exports were a significant earner for farmers, particularly when domestic market and environmental conditions were unfavourable.
Live exports earned New Zealand around $300-$400m a year, although that jumped to $524m in 2022, with the ban on the horizon.
McIntyre says it’s important for people to understand that no cattle are exported live from New Zealand for slaughter.
“The cattle we export are all for breeding purposes. Some countries do live export for religious slaughter trade, but that hasn’t happened in New Zealand since the 1990s.”
Another concern some farmers have is that New Zealand loses genetics to other countries that compete with us.
“I understand why people have those concerns, particularly after we managed to export kiwifruit cuttings to other countries, which now compete with our kiwifruit growers,” McIntyre says.
“There’s already a significant trade in in dairy semen and embryos both from and to New Zealand.
“So, those genetics are already being imported and exported freely. We’re not enabling another country by exporting our genetics”.
McIntyre was joined on the podcast by Brian Pearson, general manager at livestock export business BeefGen.
Pearson, who’s been involved in the cattle export industry for decades, says animal welfare and safety standards have been steadily improving.
“It’s a heavily regulated industry. For example, with stocking densities in the pens, every animal must be able to lie down and have room to move and stretch out.
“They’ve got to have access to water 24/7, and the cattle are usually fed twice a day.
“Sometimes they’re fed three times a day if we think the voyage is running smooth and we know we won’t be using our feed contingency.
“When there are rough seas, they sit down. There’s space in these pens for them to sit down and rest and the cattle adjust and travel very well.”
Pearson says the cattle are looked after excellently by qualified stockmen, and vets, who care deeply about the animals’ welfare.
“Our current vet is a very, very good vet. She really knows her stuff and she takes great pride in looking after the cattle.
“She calls them ‘her cattle’ when she’s on the boat. She takes ownership of them, and she feels such a responsibility.”
At the end of the day, it’s in everyone’s best interests to see the animals arrive at their destination healthy and happy, Pearson says.
“It’s pretty simple because our clients want their cattle delivered in top-notch condition. They demand excellence.
“They want the animals to come and transition into the systems over there easily, so if we’re not doing this right, we’ll lose our clients.”
McIntyre says Federated Farmers is hoping to see legislation introduced by the Government later this year to get cattle exports going again.
Hear the podcast episode on live exports at fedfarm.org.nz
Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.
