PETA wants web cams in shearing sheds
Animal rights protest group PETA is calling for Agriculture Minister Todd McClay to introduce legislation which would make it mandatory to have live-streaming web cameras in all New Zealand shearing shed.
New animal welfare regulations come into effect on 9 May. These will affect many common procedures carried out on farms, such as tall docking and treatment of bearings.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand's senior advisor, biosecurity and animal welfare, Will Halliday, says the Significant Surgical Procedures regulations cover a range of procedures undertaken on animals - from specialist veterinary-only operations to routine on-farm procedures.
Bearings
Under the regulations, a bearing in a sheep may be treated by any competent person with the appropriate knowledge, experience, and equipment to do so. This includes treatment of a complete prolapse of the uterus.
Halliday says treatment of a bearing in a cow is a more difficult procedure, and this is reflected in the regulations.
"A competent person may replace a vaginal prolapse in a cattle beat provided the animal is under the influence of pain relief provided by a veterinarian."
He says failure to comply can mean a fine of up to $3,000 for an individual and $15,000 for a body corporate.
"Treatment of a prolapsed uterus in a cattle beast can only be undertaken by a veterinarian."
Tail-docking
The new regulations stipulate that lambs under the age of six months can be docked by a competent person using eithter a hot iron or rubber ring.
No other methods of tail docking are permitted. Failure to comply can mean a fine of up to $1,500.
"There is also a new requirement that the length of the docked tail must be no shorter than the end of the caudal fold - the fold of skin that runs from the underside of the tail to either side of the anus," Halliday explains.
He says the new regulations brings New Zealand's rules into line with those of our major trading partners, which require the docked tail to entirely cover the vulva in ewe lambs and an equivalent length in males.
"Failure to comply can mean an infringement fee of $500, with fines on coviction for repeat offences of up to $1,500 for an individual and $7,500 for a body corporate. Tail length will be assessed at the slaughter plant."
docking lambs tails which are older than six months is now a veterinary-only procedure.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
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