Hoggard said the value of livestock exports by sea was more than $300 million in 2022.
“This is not insignificant. I believe there is an opportunity to expand our live export potential and support the growth of our primary industries, and rural communities,” he said.
“Live exports will only commence once strengthened welfare standards are developed and in effect to protect New Zealand’s reputation as a responsible exporter and international trade obligations.”
Reinstating livestock exports would require an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 1999, Hoggard said. Officials were developing a discussion document to be released before September.
Green spokesperson for animal welfare and agriculture Steve Abel described the practice as “cruel”, saying it involved instances of “animals caked in their own excrement with contaminated drinking water suffering for weeks at sea”.
“The Luxon Government should not be bringing back this cruel live export trade. New Zealanders care about animal welfare and don’t want to see animals raised on our farms forced on gruelling journeys to unknown treatment in overseas factory farms.”
Hoggard said public consultation process would seek feedback on what changes were necessary to the Animal Welfare Act, how to achieve high animal welfare standards throughout the export process, and how to protect New Zealand’s reputation as a responsible exporter and international trade obligation.
Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard. Photo / Alex Burton
“I understand animal welfare is a top priority for all Kiwis. It’s vital, and in fact non-negotiable, that the new standards are in place before the trade is restarted. Hearing a range of voices will help us to understand how we can best achieve this.”
Labour to reinstate ban if elected
Labour said it would reinstate the live exports ban if it was re-elected, saying the sector was on “shaky ground” and “most New Zealanders” did not want the ban overturned.
“The world is changing. Other countries like the UK and Australia have followed New Zealand’s lead and moved to ban live exports,” Labour animal welfare spokeswoman Rachel Boyack said. “Reinstating this practice will take New Zealand backwards.”
O’Connor, who is Labour’s trade spokesman, said much of the country’s international trade relied on New Zealand maintaining good animal welfare standards.
“For example, the UK and EU Free Trade Agreements include animal welfare provisions. Restarting live exports could put these agreements and the huge benefit they bring to New Zealand at risk.”
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.
