Animal Welfare Codes Get Clout

Codes Get Clout!
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) has been calling for a change to the current status of animal welfare codes for some time and welcomes the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) chair, John Hellstrom’s comments that these codes will finally get greater legal clout.

The status of the codes of welfare are being reviewed as part of the wider review of the Animal Welfare Act. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and NAWAC are leading this review and have consulted widely with industry groups and animal welfare organisations.

The codes contain minimum standards and recommended best practices relating to the care and conduct of animals. There are currently 15 codes in place ranging from animals used in circuses and rodeos to those grazed on farms.

NZVA’s Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hood, says “that while the existing codes are excellent documents, in reality their legal status is confusing. They do not offer the level of protection animals in New Zealand deserve because they are hard to enforce.”
NZVA believes that compliance with minimum standards in codes of welfare should be mandatory, and those who do not comply must be held legally accountable. Given most of the minimum standards reflect current practice, the majority of farmers already comply.

We believe that clear statements about what is unacceptable are to be included as part of this process and what the ‘bottom-line’ is in terms of animal welfare standards in order to meet the Animal Welfare Act. We understand this will be widely supported by industry. Farmers and other animal owners want to know that they have to comply with
NZVA still supports an outcomes based as reflected in the current codes, but there must be ‘bottom-lines’ also. NZVA is of the strong belief that minimum standards are bottom-lines and compliance should be mandatory.

Julie Hood says “the NZVA support NAWAC in its belief that the best outcome would be to have a mix of regulations and guidelines.”

NZVA is an Incorporated Society representing veterinarians, with approximately 1750 members. This represents over 80% of New Zealand domiciled veterinarians.

ENDS

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