Animal Welfare
New Zealand farmers are world leaders on integrating animal health and welfare into their farm management planning. The Federation is active in ensuring everyone knows their moral obligation to treat all animals humanely. It is not acceptable to allow animals to suffer as a result of deliberate ill treatment, neglect or poor management practices.
As a major producer and exporter of animals and animal products, New Zealand needs to keep in mind the growing domestic and international consumer consciousness and concern about animal health and welfare. Previously acceptable practices are being reassessed and changed to more readily fit the world in which we live.
Maintaining open trade access is critical to the New Zealand farming community. The Federation insists that any trade discussion or regulations based on animal welfare are backed up by unbiased scientific analysis. The Federation promotes partnerships with other parties interested in animal welfare such as the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee,the National Animal Welfare Emergency Management Committee and groups such as the World Society for Protection of Animals and the SPCA.
Farmers have the responsibility to adhere to animal welfare legislation and codes of practice and to train their staff how to care for animals properly. Government has the responsibility to ensure animal welfare requirements are reasonable and based on sound scientific analysis and an understanding of farm operations.
Compliance and enforcement officials are a key part of the animal health and welfare equation. The Federation is working to ensure farm animal inspections are carried out to meet the needs of farmers and that inspectors understand the complexity of our farming systems.
Our memorandum of understanding with MAF is a key part of ensuring that Government and industry are working to a common animal health and welfare goal.
Spokesman For Animal Welfare
National Board members Willy Leferink and Jeanette Maxwell speak on behalf of farmers on animal welfare.
You can contact them at:
Willy Leferink, 03 302 6891, 021 796 037 or email wleferink@fedfarm.org.nz
Jeanette Maxwell, 03 302 8860, 027 357 4464 or email jmaxwell@fedfarm.org.nz
