New Animal Welfare Bill Step Forward For NZ

7 October 1999
PR106/99

NEW ANIMAL WELFARE BILL STEP FORWARD FOR NZ

Federated Farmers is hailing the Animal Welfare Act passed in Parliament today as a step forward for New Zealand and the agriculture industry.

Federated Farmers President and animal welfare spokesperson Alistair Polson said that the Act was the culmination of years of lobbying by Federated Farmers, the New Zealand Veterinary Association and the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"Farmers have long recognised the importance of good animal welfare, and Federated Farmers is proud to have been a part of developing such a forward-looking legislation."

"Animal welfare is not an easy issue for regulators and lawmakers, and Parliament is to be congratulated for passing such a progressive and modern Act."

"Farmers will be pleased to have the most modern animal welfare law in the world, which will be recognised by our trading partners, and therefore help ensure continuous market access."

"This is just the sort of legislation we need as we go into the Seattle round of the World Trade Organisation, with the potential for non-trade barriers such as animal welfare concerns to disrupt trade. This Act will help protect New Zealand's reputation overseas as an excellent source of animal products."

"The Act will give legal force to Codes of Welfare, which will be developed through industry and public consultation. This will be a more effective and flexible system than standards and practises being set in legislation."

ENDS

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