Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE NZ
Animal rights organisation SAFE will host an international virtual protest this evening against the live export trade.
Over 6,000 people have registered to attend the protest, who are all calling on the New Zealand Government to permanently ban the export of live animals.
The protest will be streamed live on Facebook.
The virtual protest is scheduled for 7 pm to 8.05 pm tonight, which marks two weeks since the sinking of Gulf Livestock 1, which resulted in the deaths of 5,867 cows and the loss of 40 crew members at sea.
The 65-minute protest represents the 65,000 cows who New Zealand has exported already this year. People are attending from many parts of the world including Europe, South Africa and Australia. So far over 20,000 messages have been sent to the Prime Minister asking her to ban live export.
The speakers will include:
– Lyn White, Director of Strategy at Animals Australia
– Kelly Dent, Director of External Engagement at World Animal Protection
– Anneka Carlson, New Plymouth District Council and Founder of Sutton Road Animal Sanctuary
– Laura O’Connor Rapira, Director, Action Station
– Debra Ashton, Chief Executive Officer, SAFE.
Also in attendance will be:
– Gareth Hughes, Green Party MP.
– Vernon Tava, Leader of The Sustainable NZ party.
SAFE is New Zealand’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
– Images of cows in holding pens on the Gulf Livestock 1 on a voyage in 2019.
– The temporary halt was announced on shipments of cattle after the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1. A review of live export by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was already underway when this disaster occurred. On Friday 11 September, in response to this latest disaster, MPI announced the launch of yet another review – this time into the welfare of animals while on they are onboard live export ships.
– The live export of cattle, sheep, goats and deer for slaughter was banned in 2003. However, it is still legal to export these animals for breeding purposes.
– Animals exported for breeding purposes and their young will eventually be slaughtered, potentially by means too cruel to be legal in New Zealand.
– The Government has been reviewing the live-export trade since June 2019. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has expressed his preference for a conditional ban on cattle exports.
