Animal Welfare Regulatory Proposals
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) welcomes the initiation of consultation by the Ministry of
Primary Industries on the proposed animal welfare regulations for care & conduct and surgical & painful procedures.
New Zealand’s reputation as a country with strong outcome focused animal welfare frameworks is important to New Zealand
dairy companies, and to the dairy industry as a whole.
Based on an initial review, the proposals appear to represent a positive move to reinforce New Zealand’s animal welfare
system, which is already recognised as world leading by the global animal welfare charity World Animal Protection. The
proposed regulations would provide further clarity of minimum standards expectations, and enable MPI’s compliance team
to use a greater range of tools to enforce compliance.
The dairy industry Strategy for Sustainable Dairy Farming sets a target for 100% compliance with New Zealand animal welfare standards, and individual dairy companies have
reinforced expectations of compliance in their farmer supply contracts.
Dairy farmers are supported to achieve good animal welfare outcomes through the work of DairyNZ in developing, and
promoting, industry best practice guidance.
ENDS