Vets are disappointed that National will reinstate livestock exports if it gets into power. Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa Managing Director Dr Helen Beattie says it’s especially disappointing that several National Party MPs sat in on the Select Committee hearing and heard harrowing descriptions of animals’ experiences during livestock export. Dr Beattie says irrespective of vessels being purpose built, animals would still be subjected to sea journeys of up to three weeks and a journey across the equator. She says managing cattle welfare in these circumstances while maintaining an economically viable model is extremely difficult and for that reason could never be classed as ‘gold standard’ as the former CEO of Air NZ now Opposition leader Christopher Luxon certainly knows.
The vets say the ban was a decision made based on the unacceptable animal welfare outcomes which elevated our animal welfare credentials for the long-term as a trading nation. Animal welfare is not political – it is scientific and as such should not be used as a vote-chasing, political football.
