Government delays restart of live export by sea

SPCA is buoyed that the Government’s plan to repeal the ban on live export by sea has been pushed back.

In a statement, the Minister championing the restart of the trade, Andrew Hoggard – himself a farmer who has never exported his animals –confirmed a delay to the process, and said he is committed to developing the highest standards of animal welfare.

“I suspect that’s the problem, they are learning it can’t be done. You cannot have adequate animal welfare standards in this trade, let alone the ‘highest’ standards – that’s why it’s banned,” says SPCA Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Arnja Dale.

“I note they have stopped using their phrase 'gold standard.' I’ll say it again – ‘gold standard’ doesn’t exist," Dr. Dale continues. "The suffering, disease, infection, and horrific injuries to animals, the slavish and unsafe conditions for crew, and the egregious pollution – that's all real.”

Minister Hoggard says the discussion document on live export that he promised to make public before September won’t be coming out until next year. It’s also unclear what discussion will take place or how, and who will get a say.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hasn’t given much detail on the issue either, declining to respond to questions and maintaining vagueness when put on the spot. Dr. Dale wonders if the Prime Minister is revising his position given the growing discomfort with the trade among voters and members of Parliament.

SPCA has again canvassed public sentiment on the issue in a new independent survey, and results suggest the Prime Minister faces strong headwinds.

94% of the public believe that the welfare of livestock is important. Three quarters believe the public should have an opportunity to have a say on draft legislation to repeal the ban; 82% agree that ‘we cannot guarantee how animals are treated once they reach their destination.’ And more than 57,000 New Zealanders signed a petition calling on the Government to protect the ban in place.

“They don’t support cat management, they ignore the need to protect marine life and biodiversity, and they have mothballed work to improve the lives for millions of companion animals," says Dr. Dale. "But they’re hellbent on sending animals off in abhorrent conditions on boats that purge faeces and urine into the world’s oceans to destinations with woeful animal welfare records. By this country’s own standards, it’s in every way offensive.”

Dr. Dale says she hopes the once world-leading ban won’t be repealed, noting other countries have already followed suit in moving away from the unpopular trade.

“Observing the Government on several issues lately, I am reminded of the old saying that 'those who stand for nothing – fall for everything.'”

See the full survey results here.