The review of the controversial live export trade is now open for submissions from the public.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor ordered the review following an ABC News exposé which revealed that New Zealand and Australian cows were sick and dying in Sri Lanka. Since then efforts by live animal corporations to ship animals out of the country have increased, with twice as many cows exported so far in 2019 than in all of 2018.
SAFE Campaigns Officer Mona Oliver says live export is of massive public concern.
“The public is rightfully concerned about live animal exports, and the trade has only become more secretive,” says Oliver.
“The Government is clearly ashamed of live export.”
Last week a live export ship containing over 14,000 sheep capsized off the coast of Romania. Latest reports indicate less than 300 sheep were able to be rescued. The Ministry for Primary Industries has remained silent on how they’d manage a crisis such as this.
“If a similar incident occurred to a live export ship leaving New Zealand, it is quite unlikely that we’d be able to respond adequately.” says Oliver.
The discussion paper for the live export review proposes four options, which include the Minister’s preferred option of a conditional ban, and a total prohibition of the trade. The scope of the review only includes the export of cows, deer, sheep and goats however.
“This review ignores 99% of the animals that suffer in the live export industry, most of which are day-old chicks.”
“Millions of day-old chicks are exported every year. These chicks are then raised in countries with lower animal welfare standards than New Zealand and suffer just like cows and sheep.”
“We’ve already effectively banned the live export of cows, sheep, goats and deer for slaughter, so we know we can act to protect the welfare of New Zealand animals. The Minister must close these loopholes and completely prohibit the live export trade of all farmed animals.”
This issue needs massive coverage on every outlet too make the public aware !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDZJzIThxcs&has_verified=1
Genesis 1:26-28
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
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