New Animal Welfare Strategy Released
Hon Nathan Guy Minister for Primary
Industries
2 May 2013
Media
Statement
New Animal Welfare Strategy
Released
Minister for Primary Industries
Nathan Guy has launched the New Zealand Animal Welfare
Strategy today, setting out a high level framework for how
we treat animals.
“The strategy Animal
Welfare Matters sets out a formal foundation for New
Zealand’s animal welfare legislation and policy,” says
Mr Guy.
“It says that it matters how animals are
treated, and that we have responsibilities toward animals.
It also says that using animals for activities like farming
and racing is acceptable as long as it is
humane.”
The strategy lists four main routes to
improved animal welfare:
· Better
planning to prevent animal welfare problems;
· Better animal husbandry, science and
technology;
· Clear expectations and
sanctions, with help for people to comply;
and
· Measuring animal welfare
performance.
“Animals matter to us personally.
Sixty-eight percent of New Zealand households have at least
one pet.
“New Zealand also earns around $20
billion a year by exporting animal products, such as meat,
milk and wool. Part of why we are so successful
internationally is our world-leading reputation for animal
welfare. It is vital that we recognise and protect
that.
“New Zealand has a proud history of caring
for animals and being a world leader in this area, but we
are always looking to do better.
“This document
will be followed up with new legislation to be introduced
shortly updating the Animal Welfare Act,” says Mr
Guy.
The Strategy follows up on public consultation
held last year when over 2000 public submissions were
received.
The New Zealand Animal Welfare Strategy
is available at http://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity-animal-welfare/animal-welfare/new-zealand-animal-welfare-strategy
ENDS