Draft animal transport welfare code needs a diet
Released 20 Jan 2010
In its submission late last year on the draft Animal Welfare (Transport within New Zealand) Code of Welfare, Federated Farmers has called on the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) to focus on a slimmed-down code for commercial transport.
"The draft code as it was written, would apply equally to a pet moggy being taken to a cattery as it would to sheep being transported around the country," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers animal welfare co-spokesperson.
"The code should focus on the commercial transport of animals as that's what we believe NAWAC intended.
"NAWAC has proposed so-called ‘example values' bloating the code out to hefty 50-pages. Instead of delivering clarity it becomes a costly but prescriptive fudge. The focus is all about process and not the safe and humane commercial transport of livestock.
"As long as these meet NAWAC's minimum standards, Federated Farmers has suggested it accredit the standards and schemes being operated by commercial transporters and processors.
"By accrediting things that work in the real world we avoid the cost of reinventing the wheel.
"It's clear we've got to have standards, our reputation depends on it, but the code as it is drafted is too complex to work. I'm certain commonsense proposals will improve it before it is gazetted," Mr Wills concluded.
To view the submission please click here
For further comment please contact:
Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers animal welfare co-spokesperson, 06 834 9704, 027 234 1516
Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers animal welfare co-spokesperson, 021 382 442, 07 332 3440
