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Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - A new code covering the welfare of dairy cattle was released today, but it does not take into account factory farming.

Agriculture Minister David Carter is seeking further advice on the intensive farming issue -- the Government is considering whether to allow a proposal for 16 dairy farms in the Mackenzie Country to house up to 18,000 cows in intensive farms.

Mr Carter said he thought it better to go ahead with the code rather than wait to include conditions for factory farmed animals.

"The 2010 code was not developed with this in mind because the issue had not arisen. Long-term housing of dairy cattle in New Zealand is a relatively new concept and the animal welfare aspects are not yet fully known.

"I have asked Nawac (the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee) to provide me with separate advice on this matter."

Mr Carter said he wanted to issue the code now in the interests of ensuring immediate animal welfare gains for the majority of dairy cattle.

The Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010 provides guidelines about the handling and management of dairy cattle.

It covers all areas of dairy cattle management from stockmanship and husbandry practices, to food and water, shade and shelter, and health. It is the first time such a code has been issued.

"It aims to encourage all those involved in the farming of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of handling and care," Mr Carter said.

"Like all codes of animal welfare, this is particularly directed at the worst players in the industry, not the best ones."

Failure to comply with minimum standards may lead to prosecution.

Nawac developed the code in consultation with the dairy industry and animal welfare and veterinary groups. Submissions were also sought from the public.

"The dairy industry has been instrumental in drawing it up and I applaud its proactive approach on animal welfare. Its continued leadership is vital to ensuring that the standards in this code are met."

The Green Party said the absence of a code for factory style dairy farming was a major concern.

"The minister is completely out of touch with what is going on," said party co-leader Russel Norman.

"Thousands of New Zealanders have expressed their concern about the welfare of cows in proposed factory style dairy farms in the Mackenzie Country -- the public see this as a huge animal welfare issue."

Dr Norman said the Government had squandered an opportunity to take those concerns into account.

"New Zealand's competitive advantage is our pastoral farming methods," he said.

"Factory farming of cows is cruel and likely to damage our international image."

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