Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is setting up a ‘taskforce’ on the animal welfare issues of winter grazing.

Meat eaters shouldn’t relinquish all advocacies on animal welfare to lobby groups, says Freedom Farms general manager Hilary Pearson.

DairyNZ Director Ben Allomes says farmers need to change with the times and adopt practices that are good for their animals and the environment.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is establishing a taskforce to respond to the animal welfare issues associated with the practice of winter grazing.

With exports of animal or animal products valued at $28.6 billion (year to June 2018), MPI says New Zealand needs high animal welfare standards to protect our reputation worldwide.

A Northland farmer (62) has been fined $5000 and banned from owning more than 70 cows for two years after being found guilty of animal welfare offences.

Bobby calves are showing up at processors in much better condition than before 2016 when the new handling rules took effect.

Farmers are being assured that any spying on grazing practices on farm this winter won’t upset stock.

Dairy farmers are being urged to tell authorities about “concerning activity” by helicopters and drones.

“Wet and muddy winter conditions increase the risks to the welfare of livestock,” says Kate Littin, Ministry for Primary Industries manager animal welfare.