MEDIA RELEASE

OCTOBER 2013

Range of MPs to debate animal welfare issues

At 2pm on Monday 7 October the Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries will present the Government’s proposed Animal Welfare Act Amendments at the NZ Companion Animal Council Conference, Stamford Plaza, Auckland.

The Minister’s presentation will be followed at 2.45pm by a lively political debate on the proposals featuring Trevor Mallard (Labour Party), Mojo Mathers (Green Party), Andrew Williams (NZ First), and Joyce D’Silva (UK, Compassion in World Farming).

The conference brings together leading players in the animal welfare and animal control fields from New Zealand and overseas, and is timed to coincide with the review of animal welfare legislation being undertaken by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

“At this critical time for animal welfare in New Zealand, this presentation and debate provides an ideal opportunity for MPs and others from all sides of the political spectrum to publicly air the most pressing issues,” says Bob Kerridge, Patron of the NZ Companion Animal Council and organiser of the conference.

“Animal testing for psychoactive substances, tail docking, the use of gin traps, and, perhaps most importantly, the recognition of the sentience of animals and their ability to experience pain and suffering – these and other issues are of immense importance during this long-overdue review of the Animal Welfare Act.

“I would like to see an Animal Welfare Act emerge from this review that is resolute in its desire to prevent all forms of animal cruelty and abuse, and is undiluted by any political or economic provisos that may in any way compromise the welfare of animals.

“The purpose of this conference is to raise the issues that must be faced if we want to achieve a more effective and compassionate piece of legislation at the end of the process.”

Mr Kerridge, who is Executive Director of SPCA Auckland and founder of the NZ Companion Animal Council, says this year’s conference is the most important one ever staged.

The annual Blessing of the Animals service will precede the conference at St Matthew-in-the-city at 12.30pm on Sunday 6 October 2013.

More info: www.nzcac.org.nz

ENDS

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