Source: SAFE For Animals
SAFE is celebrating news that the Government will not move forward with plans to reinstate live animal exports by sea, ensuring the ban on the trade remains in place at least for this parliamentary term.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed yesterday that Cabinet had been unable to reach agreement on reviving the industry.
SAFE CEO Debra Ashton says the announcement is a huge relief.
“Live export forces animals into gruelling journeys across oceans where they can spend weeks confined on crowded ships, exposed to extreme heat, distress, and injury,” says Ashton.
“No animal should have to endure that.”
Ashton says the outcome reflects the strength of public opposition to the trade.
“More than 57,000 people signed a petition in 2024 calling on the Government to protect the ban. New Zealanders made it clear they did not want to see animals shipped overseas on long and dangerous journeys.”
The Government had previously signalled it intended to revive the trade under what it described as a “gold standard” for animal welfare.
Ashton says that promise was never credible.
“There is no such thing as a ‘gold standard’ for shipping live animals across oceans. The risks are inherent to the trade itself.”
“No amount of regulation can remove the suffering animals endure during weeks at sea, or guarantee their welfare once they arrive overseas.”
SAFE says it remains concerned that the minister responsible for animal welfare continues to support the trade.
“Live export has repeatedly been shown to put animals at significant risk,” says Ashton.
“It raises serious questions about whether someone who supports this trade is the right person to hold the animal welfare portfolio.”
SAFE says yesterday’s announcement will be welcomed by the tens of thousands of people who spoke up to defend the ban.
“This is a moment to celebrate,” says Ashton.
“People across the country stood up for animals, and today those animals are safer because of it.”
SAFE is Aotearoa’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.
Notes:
– On 10 November 2025, SAFE filed a formal complaint relating to Andrew Hoggard’s oversight of the animal-welfare portfolio, citing a pattern of regulatory capture in which industry interests have been allowed to override legal requirements and scientific evidence, thereby undermining public trust in animal-welfare governance.
