Association has reviewed its animal welfare practices and will implement four key changes for the 2018/19 season.
President Lyal Cocks said today that “we constantly review our events to look at how we can improve safety for
competitors and animals alike. This year’s AGM confirmed changes to our rodeo practices that will improve animal
safety.”
The changes are;
1. Improving the training and competence of contestants in the rope & tie and steer wrestle events;
2. In the rope & tie events, only one legal catch attempt;
3. In the rope & tie and steer wrestling events, there will only be one permitted run to catch the animal (ie the animal cannot be
chased around the arena);
4. The calf ride event to be optional but stock must now be a minimum of 200 kgs (up from 150 kgs). NB: riders must
weigh less than 50 kgs.
“ We are seeking to ensure that any animal injuries at rodeo events, as rare as they might be, are neither due to poor
practice nor inadequate training.”
“ We met with the government minister responsible for animal welfare, Hon. Meta Whaitiri, and with the chairperson of
the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) Dr Gywneth Verkerk, and pledged our ongoing co-operation for any
research aimed at improving animal welfare at rodeo events,” said Mr Cocks. “That offer of co-operation remains.”
The resignation of Minister Whaitiri had created uncertainty around a number of animal welfare reviews, including that
of the code for rodeos.
“ However, we have met with NAWAC, MPI, SPCA and veterinarian representatives, and agreed upon a set of actions that
will address recommendations made by NAWAC that may further improve animal welfare. We will always aim to review our
practices to ensure the maximum safety for human and animal competitors.”
There are eighteen (18) separate codes of welfare for animals, and rodeo is but one. Other codes cover the slaughter of
animals and painful husbandry techniques.
The 2018/19 rodeo season begins at Labour Weekend with the first events in
Winchester and Methven.
“ The sport is in great heart. We had record crowd attendances at a number of events last year - and our cowboys and
cowgirls competed, and provided great family entertainment, at over thirty different venues.”
Mr Cocks said that SAFE and other anti-rodeo groups will continue to protest “irrespective of whatever we do to improve
our safety and practices. They have a much wider agenda than banning rodeos. They want all animal sport banned, full
stop, including greyhound racing, horse racing, and equestrian events. And even zoos.”