Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
Animal rights group SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA) have written an open letter to the Prime Minister asking her to appoint a Commissioner for Animals.
The letter comes after the High Court found last month that Minister for Agriculture Damien O'Connor, on the advice of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), had acted unlawfully by not phasing out the use of farrowing crates and mating stalls.
SAFE chief executive Debra Ashton says the government needs to get serious about animal welfare.
"NAWAC failed to uphold the law, and mother pigs suffered as a result," Ashton said.
"We have animal welfare legislation for a reason, because we recognise that animals have needs. We are calling for better systems that will put animal welfare first."
NZALA president Saar Cohen said, "the judgement highlights the need to oversee NAWAC's actions and provide leadership and guidance to all animal welfare agencies."
"A parliamentary Commissioner for Animals will do that, as well as advocated for animals and ensure fair representation of animal interests in Government decision making."
NZALA and SAFE filed proceedings in February 2019 over O'Connor's and NAWAC's failure to phase out the use of farrowing crates.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.