Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE NZ
It has been revealed that in 2020, Auckland Regional Parks sold a small number of cows to live animal exporters, according to a tip off received by animal rights organisation SAFE. Cows raised on well known parks like Ambury Park were exported to China. It’s understood Auckland Regional Parks exported these animals as part of a trial.
The Auckland Regional Parks Management Plan is currently being reviewed.
SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said the Auckland City Council should reconsider any future exports of live animals.
“I imagine Auckland ratepayers would be outraged that their regional parks are being used to raise animals for live export,” said Ashton. “Especially given the response to the news that Cornwall Park is sending their cows overseas.”
Members of the public were appalled to learn this week that cows raised on Auckland’s Cornwall Park have been sold to live animal exporters.
For nearly two years, the Ministry for Primary Industries has been reviewing the controversial live export trade. During that time the live export ship Gulf Livestock 1 capsized and sank off the coast of China. The tragedy saw 5,867 New Zealand cows drown and 41 crew members, including two New Zealanders, lost at sea.
“It’s important to note that all animals exported from Aotearoa will eventually be slaughtered in their destination country, potentially by means too cruel to be legal here.”
“We hope that the Auckland City Council considers the public’s dissatisfaction with live export and not export any more of their animals overseas.”
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.
– Recent analysis from The Guardian has found that live export ships are twice as likely to be lost at sea as cargo vessels.
– Thousands of cows have been stranded at sea for over two months in the Mediterranean following an outbreak of the viral disease bluetongue on two live export ships. Both ships have been refused entry at multiple ports. Spanish officials now say over 800 cows on the ships must be slaughtered.
– Last year, the live export ship Gulf Livestock 1 capsized and sank off the coast of China. The tragedy saw 5,867 New Zealand cows drown, and 41 crew members, including two New Zealanders, were lost at sea.
– In 2003, Saudi Arabia rejected a shipment of over 57,000 Australian and New Zealand sheep on board the MV Cormo Express on alleged disease grounds and refused to unload them. After two months at sea and the ship being unable to find a port, around 6,000 of the sheep died on board. Following this disaster, the New Zealand Government suspended the export of live sheep for slaughter. In 2007, a conditional prohibition on the export of livestock (cattle, sheep, deer and goats) was introduced.
– Under the Animal Welfare (Export of Livestock for Slaughter) Regulations 2016, live animals cannot be exported for slaughter without the approval of the Director-General of the Ministry for Primary Industries. Approval may only be granted if the Director-General considers that the risks to New Zealand’s trade reputation can be adequately managed. There have been no livestock exports for slaughter since 2008.
– Animals exported for breeding purposes and their young will still eventually be slaughtered, potentially by methods that would not be legal in New Zealand.
