Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: SAFE NZ
Locals in Timaru and Ahuriri preparing for protests this Saturday and Sunday respectively due to the influx of live export ships Aotearoa has seen this week.
Two live export ships arrived at Ahuriri this week, with another two arriving this weekend. Thousands of cows were loaded on another live export ship on Wednesday night in Timaru.
SAFE CEO Debra Ashton said public opposition to live export has become palpable.
“People across the country have been sending a clear message that they don’t want their parks and ports involved with live export,” said Ashton. “Cabinet needs to do the right thing and announce a ban on live export.”
SAFE spokesperson Will Appelbe, who will be attending the Timaru protest on Saturday, said “The conditions, both onboard live export ships and at their destination countries, can be appalling.”
“These realities are at odds with New Zealand’s desire to be a world leader on animal welfare.”
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.
– 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.
