The legitimate livestock trade is about to be scuttled. The second reading of the Animal Welfare Bill saw the Government use its majority to ignore the evidence provided about the high quality of farms being built and managed to house animals imported from New Zealand to the Primary Production Select Committee. The result will be cessation of livestock exports by sea after the 30th of April 2023.
Recent research conducted shows that New Zealanders know very little about our industry. New Zealanders are split in terms of their support for our industry. However, when they understand the “Gold Standard” recently developed by LENZ exporters, their support moves favourably toward the industry. In fact, 59% of respondents feel the ban should not proceed and rather standards should be raised. Only 13% supported the ban despite the idea of raising standards.