New Zealand bans live animal exports

New Zealand has officially announced plans to ban live animal exports. The country currently exports animals only for breeding, not for slaughter, and will stop all of that on April 30, 2023. The decision comes two years after 41 crew members and 6,000 cattle died when a storm sank the ship. Two New Zealanders died in the tragedy, leading to increased support for a ban on live animal exports. Damien O'Connor, New Zealand's environment minister, said the new law would protect New Zealand's reputation as the world became more aware of animal welfare.

The export of live animals creates a lot of controversy around the world, and this move by New Zealand is a significant step against the practice. "We are delighted to hear that New Zealand has announced a ban on live animal exports from next year and we are calling on other nations to follow suit," Mandy Carter, global campaign manager at Compassion In World Farming.

Live animal exports are highly controversial due to animal welfare concerns. Means of transport are often overcrowded, and animals suffer from disease, exhaustion and dehydration. Millions of animals, including pigs, cows and sheep, are exported every year around the world. Compassion In World Farming describes the export of live animals as “painful, stressful and completely unacceptable”. Many animals also died in accidents. In 2020, 14,000 sheep were killed after a ship capsized. Earlier this year, around 15,000 drowned in another sinking near Sudan.

Source: Plant Based News