Feedback sought on code of welfare for llamas and alpacas

Feedback sought on draft code of welfare for llamas and alpacas

Minimum standards of animal welfare and recommended best practices for everyone responsible for camelids are outlined in a draft code of welfare released for consultation by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) today.

NAWAC committee member Karen Phillips says the committee welcomes submissions from anyone interested in the welfare and management of camelids such as llamas, alpacas, guanacos and their crossbreeds.

South American camelids are kept in New Zealand for both commercial and personal purposes and may be kept for fibre production, as pets or used as packing animals. There is an onus on all owners and people in charge of animals to look after them appropriately, regardless of how they are kept.

“As well as establishing how their welfare is properly and best attended to, the draft code provides an important statement to the international community of the animal welfare standards we expect in New Zealand."

"No final decisions have been made yet, we want to know whether the minimum standards and recommendations in the draft code go too far or not far enough."

The draft Animal Welfare (Llamas and Alpacas) Code of Welfare 2011 includes proposed minimum standards that cover stockmanship and handling; mustering and droving; restraint; the provision of food, water and shelter; housing and breeding. Specific requirements for the preparation and selection of animals for transport and emergency humane destruction are also included.

The closing date for submissions is 9 September 2011 and information about submissions is available at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/consult

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