Federated Farmers will continue to work with the Ministry for
Primary Industries (MPI), to ensure New Zealand’s farmers
have the highest levels of practicable rules around animal welfare.

"I know good animal welfare pays you back commercially and is why
animal welfare legislation and associated codes of welfare matter,"
says Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers joint animal welfare
spokesperson.

"Federated Farmers is active with the MPI, in ensuring pastoral
farmers treat our animals in a humane and ethical way.

"These animals are for many of us why we farm and farmers, right
now, are working in atrocious conditions to ensure the well-being
of their animals.

"It is why New Zealand’s animal welfare system is regarded as
world-leading but we can’t sit back. We know consumers’
views on what is acceptable and what isn’t constantly
evolves.

"This is why Federated Farmers supports the continued development
of the animal welfare system. The review, announced this week, is a
chance to showcase that much of what we do is informed and led by
science.

"There is also a dimension of common-sense because it is easy to
forget farm animals have evolved to live outdoors. In many
respects, they are tougher than us farmers and is why we call them
livestock.

"Farmers know full well stressed or maltreated animals do not
produce well or gain condition. It is why we have to guard against
going overboard with compliance when we know good animal welfare
has strong commercial drivers.

"With enforcement, Federated Farmers does not want a militant
approach. Our experience of working with the MPI on farm animal
welfare cases is that most involve farmers overwhelmed by a number
of issues.

"It is often just not stock that have been let go, but the farmer
themselves. In such cases we work at the grassroots with the MPI
and other agencies in the interests of the animals involved. It is
thankfully uncommon but does demand sensitivity.

"What I can say is that there is no place in farming for thugs who
deliberately maltreat farm animals. A recent high profile case
underscores how abhorrent it is from both a commercial and ethical
standpoint.

"It is why we support farm animals having the highest possible
standard of care and hope this review will provide farmers with
even more clarity and support in this area," Mrs Maxwell concluded.