Friday, 18 December 2020 05:55

Ad angers animal activists

Written by  Jessica Marshall
Animal rights group SAFE is angered that MPI are hiring an animal export manager. Animal rights group SAFE is angered that MPI are hiring an animal export manager.

An animal rights group is incensed by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) decision to hire a new animal export manager.

A listing for the job, which was uploaded on 30 November, comes amid a review of live exports that was announced by the Government back in June 2019.

SAFE campaign manager Bianka Atlas says her organisation is concerned because a policy review is still ongoing.

“The ministry is operating as if they already know what the outcome of the review is,” she claims.

Atlas says that while the Prime Minister has expressed concerns about live export, “all the signals her Government and MPI are sending suggest this is a trade that will continue.”

However, MPI veterinarian and director of animal health and welfare Dr Chris Rodwell told Rural News the advertised position is filling a vacant role.

The advertisement refers to a ‘period of growth’, which SAFE claims will mean a continuation of live exports.

Rodwell says the ad refers to the need to deliver on additional conditions and requirements set out in the Heron Review. This was released in October this year, following the tragic loss of 42 people and thousands of cattle with the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 off the coast of Japan in September.

Rodwell says that live export not only refers to the transporting of cattle by sea.

“New Zealand exports a range of live animals, mainly via air to support developing countries including our Pacific neighbours.”

Rodwell adds that MPI’s advice for the wider policy review of live animal exports is still being finalised.

“The results of the Heron review will feed into that advice,” he says.

Once complete, it will be then be provided to ministers and cabinet to make a decision.

More like this

Bikinis in cowshed

OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

MPI: Primary sector exports hit record $60B

A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Faking it

OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best…

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter