Wednesday, 8 May 2013
For immediate release
DairyNZ welcomes strategy for animal welfare
Industry body DairyNZ is welcoming the New Zealand Animal Welfare Strategy released by the Minister of Primary
Industries, Nathan Guy.
DairyNZ’s Strategy and Investment Leader for Sustainability Dr Rick Pridmore, says New Zealand’s dairy farmers take
animal welfare matters seriously and it is useful to have an overarching strategic framework for guiding how the country
approaches the care of animals.
“Animal welfare is one of the dairy industry’s 10 objectives in the newly refreshed Strategy for Sustainable Dairy
Farming. We’re committed to farming to high standards of animal health, welfare and well-being. As the Minister points
out, New Zealand has a world-leading reputation for animal welfare and we need to recognise and protect that as it is a
vital part of continuing our success as an export industry,” he says.
Dr Pridmore says DairyNZ is comfortable with much of the proposed National Animal Welfare Strategy, at its high level of
design.
The existing Codes of Welfare also enjoy a strong degree of support and understanding within the industry, he says.
“We support a move toward greater enforcement of the standards in the Codes of Welfare for the treatment of animals as
they are generally acknowledged and accepted. So we will work with the Ministry for Primary Industries taking the route
of providing greater regulatory and legislative backing to these standards.
“The body that guides the development of these standards is called the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and is
set up to provide independent advice to the Minister for Primary Industries. Its members are vets, various animal
ethical experts and scientists with expertise, knowledge and experience,” he says.
The committee plays a key role in overseeing animal welfare rules and regulations in New Zealand in an independent and
professional manner.
“It’s vital that farmers are involved in the development of animal welfare standards to ensure they are practical and
able to be readily implemented on the farm.”
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