Damien O’Connor
Primary Industries Spokesperson

Trevor Mallard
Animal Welfare Spokesperson

4 February 2014

New Zealand’s brand must be protected

New Zealand-controlled Chilean company Manuka SA must move to protect New Zealand’s international reputation after revelations of disturbing animal cruelty, says Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor and Animal Welfare spokesperson Trevor Mallard.

“Last year’s events in China, Sri Lanka and elsewhere demonstrated the appetite for New Zealand’s competitors to seize any opportunity to tarnish our global reputation and we therefore must mitigate any opportunity for them to do so,” says Damien O’Connor.

“Given the close relationship between Manuka SA, Fonterra and its Chilean subsidiary Soprole, the directors of Manuka need to live up to their moniker as industry leaders and take action to protect the international reputation of our dairy industry.

“Fonterra must also continue to ensure all suppliers comply to the same standards we expect here in New Zealand.

“New Zealand dairy farmers have worked hard over the years to develop world’s best practice in animal welfare for the betterment of New Zealand’s brand.

“They will be disappointed with these revelations and rightly concerned with being tarred with the same brush,” Damien O’Connor says.

Trevor Mallard says New Zealand’s dairy industry must have zero tolerance of animal abuse involving New Zealand-owned companies.

“Labour is committed to supporting a dairy industry based on best practise animal welfare management.

“New Zealand is viewed internationally as a country which opposes animal cruelty and our dairy industry must ensure that is protected,” Trevor Mallard says.

ENDS

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