Live exports

Whatever it takes

By Samantha Tennent

Those in the livestock exporting industry and others want the Government to roll back their decision to ban the practice and are prepared to do whatever is necessary to ensure it continues.

In what could be the final nail in the coffin, the Government has proposed a Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act making the ban on sea freight for exporting livestock permanent. This would make it difficult for any future governments to reverse the ban and close the door on the trade for good.

The proposal does not sit well with some.

“The ban is a knee-jerk reaction after the Gulf Livestock 1 maritime tragedy and ignores the independent advice supporting the continuation of the trade,”

National Party spokesperson for animal welfare Tim van de Molen says.

“That undermines those who are making improvements and while we support tightening of rules, we trust industry to determine appropriate solutions.

“They have a lot at stake and the

Government shouldn’t dictate what needs to happen.”

The ban could create ripple effects on further trading.

“We do need to keep in mind the implications on trade relationships, it isn’t a simple fix, there are aspects that could trigger other concerns, but the trade provides significant benefits and should continue,” he says.

“Transparency is important and animal welfare checks need to be rigorous, but we have every confidence the industry would develop what is necessary.”

The Animal Genetic Trade Association (AGTA) are not going down without a fight and have been working hard to encourage submissions against the Bill.

“We need to look at this from a global perspective, we can’t just look at this from inside New Zealand,” AGTA technical advisor Dr Jim Edwards says.

“The level of urbanisation around the world is affecting food security and we are in a position where we can and should help.”

Markets import livestock to create self-sufficient herds that can supply milk and meat products to their people. Creating herds helps overcome food shortage problems, but the reality for many countries is that they do not have the space or the water security to sustain enough production to feed their population and they will continue to need other trade products.

“Many relationships are built from livestock trading,” he says.

“There are concerns if China couldn’t source livestock from New Zealand anymore and looked to other countries, those relationships could evolve further and impact more of our economy.”

Some suggest exporting germplasm such as semen and embryos as an alternative, but that is already happening. China needs stock to breed from and many of the importers are seeking livestock to quickly establish the foundations of new herds.

“Sending semen and embryos is only viable once herds are established; they need the heifers to build the herds in the first place and once they’re established they can breed their own replacements and become self-sufficient,” he says.

“There is a lot of development happening and not just in China. We have other countries asking for help to develop their food production by building herds.

“And some countries just do not have sufficient pasture and grazing land to breed and raise the number of cattle required to feed their population.”

If the Bill goes ahead, it will prohibit anyone from obtaining an animal welfare export certificate to export cattle, deer, sheep and goats by sea from April 30, 2023. Currently, it is an offence to export an animal from NZ without a certificate issued under the Animal Welfare Act.

Animal welfare and reputational risk are the common themes among those opposed to the trade. Their views were expressed during the consultation period on the Livestock Export Review that was carried out by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) from November 2019 to January 2020.

Welfare of animals was highlighted by Trade Minister Damien O’Connor when he made the announcement of the ban, but there are further welfare concerns to consider. Transportation after arrival is one, with many importing countries relying on multi-purpose trucks rather than the specialised trucks that NZ uses.

Cattle onboard the ships are well-fed, watered and cared for with a vet checking them twice a day.

National party spokesperson for animal welfare Tim van de Molen says the Government ban on exporting livestock is a knee-jerk reaction to the tragic Gulf Livestock sinking, but as a whole the trade is good for the country.

Slaughter standards are another serious concern and although exporting animals for slaughter has been banned in NZ since 2008, an animal will eventually come to the end of its productive life and what happens after that worries many people.

Many submissions during MPI’s review expressed NZ should not export animals to countries that have lower welfare standards and should limit exports to countries that humanely slaughter animals to NZ standards and allow euthanasia of sick, diseased and suffering animals.

“You cannot simply sell animals to countries with no animal welfare protection laws and wish them good luck,” one submitter said.

There is general agreement amongst exporters themselves that there is a gap in the system and they fully support further post-arrival monitoring and reporting. Many submissions highlighted the lack of knowledge of the welfare of our animals within farming and the slaughter process of the destination countries.

Edwards believes if we close the door on the trade for good we will miss opportunities to support other countries to raise their standards.

“We can use our relationships to help educate and support other nations,” Edwards says.

“It could be part of agreements – we will supply you with livestock but you must meet these requirements and we want transparency to make sure they are being met.”

During the transition period as the trade is being phased out there has been a continuous improvement project with MPI to make improvements to manage animal welfare risks.

“We have seen further improvements throughout the export process and should have a high level of confidence in the current standards,” Van de Molen says.

“We know the health and welfare of the animals is a top priority; the vessels have vets on hand for any issues that arise in transit so that their welfare predeparture, on the vessel and on arrival remains high.

“Things are always evolving and like anything, we’re doing better than five to 10 years ago.

But the industry is frustrated the Government went straight to a ban without an opportunity to explore solutions and show they could alter practices and develop assurance measures.

AGTA is already developing a Gold Standard programme to provide assurance that all animals are cared for throughout the export process and beyond. The standard would outline specific requirements and policies that are designed to lead to a positive sentient state for exported livestock.

It will cover elements such as minimum weight and body condition score requirements and environmental and nutritional needs. There will be

Continued page 39

Animal Genetic Trade Association technical advisor Jim Edwards says the industry will meet whatever the Government requires and the organisation is already working on a Gold Standard programme for animal welfare.

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Ban impact felt in China

By Samantha Tennent

The incoming live export ban stunned Chinese businesses and they are hoping the Government will reverse their decision and allow the trade to continue.

For a culture that places so much value in relationships, it was disheartening for Chinese businesses to discover through mainstream media the bombshell dropped by the New Zealand

Government earlier this year. There was no consultation before the decision was made and they are hanging onto hope that the Government will reconsider their position and work with the stakeholders to come to an agreement for the trade going forward.

“It’s a big loss to the agricultural sectors of both countries,” says Dr

Changliang Yan from the China Animal

Husbandry Group (CAHG).

“The livestock exporting trade is more than business, Chinese buyers like to go to New Zealand to see where the livestock come from and learn about the culture and farming.

“They like to learn from New Zealand on how to run dairy businesses, it’s a prime leadership opportunity for New

Zealand to support Chinese farmers.”

But without the trade, the buyers will have less opportunities to come to New Zealand and there will be less communication between the livestock industries of the two countries.

Between January and September,

China imported over 90,000 head of cattle from NZ, which makes up 33% of their cattle imports. Without the trade with NZ China will have 33% less choice in which cattle they purchase.

“Selling livestock, particularly cattle, to China helps New Zealand speed up progress in genetic gain, which is a good thing in the long run,” he says.

They like the genetics and production ability of NZ livestock and the proximity to China. There is also a longstanding relationship between the countries and

Chinese businesses appreciate the tax benefits because there are no tariffs due to the free trade agreement.

With one less avenue to import livestock, there will be heavy impacts on the trade for China, including the price and quantity of stock and produce available because supplies will be tighter.

CAHG general manager for livestock and genetics Fenglong Zhao would like to see more government officials visit China to see the investments they have made to improve animal welfare.

“The reality is a lot has changed and we have improved significantly; there has been a lot of investment in animal welfare in China,” Zhao says.

“And from our side, we have confidence in the exporters we use to source the livestock we import and they alleviate any concerns we have about the voyage, but we do acknowledge the weather can be challenging.”

Zhao and Yan would like to see communication between the Governments from both countries around the subject before the ban becomes permanent, they hope the trade will be given a chance.

CAHG was the earliest company to import cattle into China, they have been importing since 1981 and are disappointed to lose the connection with NZ.

“There is a huge demand for dairy in China, and we have well-equipped facilities,” Zhao says.

“Nowhere else in the world has imposed a ban like this, it raises many concerns for businesses like ours.”

Another business with interests in NZ livestock is Beijing Sinofarm Import & Export Co Ltd. Their general manager for breeding livestock importation Haiying Kang is disappointed by the announcement of the ban.

“China has put a lot of effort into improving facilities and supporting animal welfare,” Kang says.

“From the quarantine facilities with quality feed, good shed design and sufficient training for staff, to the

The Chinese rely on buying livestock from NZ because of their quality genetics and production figures. Exported cows being milked in China.

“I’d like to hope our governments can keep communication open and come to an agreement that protects the animals and the trade into the future.”

Haiying Kang

The businesses in China are open and transparent and welcome visitors to view the farms and animals.

management on farms, where the cows are kept comfortable and live in a good environment.”

She describes their housing as a feedlot environment, with cattle living indoors in scientifically designed sheds with temperature control. They all have a bed and there is plenty of space to move around.

“We spend lots of money on our sheds, they are state of the art facilities,” she says.

Kang believes there are plenty of options to mitigate concerns around animal welfare on both sides of the ocean and she encourages choosing who manages the export process wisely.

“We deal with Austrex and they are very professional and manage the entire process well,” she says.

And if further requirements are developed to support the trade and provide transparency and assurance she believes it should continue.

“I’d like to hope our governments can keep communication open and come to an agreement that protects the animals and the trade into the future,” she says. n

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Continued from page 37

minimum standards for vessels and a transparent reporting system to measure animal welfare during the voyage.

They are also proposing protection for animals after they have arrived at their destination, to ensure expectations that they live at least an equivalent life to that they would have in NZ.

“We would like to have reciprocal arrangements where vets from importing countries come to New Zealand and our vets can visit destinations. Before the pandemic Chinese vets were visiting regularly,” Edwards says.

“And that New Zealand offers training to support our partners to achieve global animal welfare standards.”

The trade stakeholders want to be given the chance to prove they can raise the standards, provide transparency and assure the welfare of animals is paramount to everything they do.

“We can’t forget the underlying benefits of the trade, that we are supporting the social development and food security objectives of our most important trading partners,” he says.

“And there are significant benefits to our rural communities from the high premiums the trade attracts. If it ceases, it is likely that those heifers that would have been exported will be destined to become bobby calves.

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Preparing for the journey

By Samantha Tennent

The process involved in exporting livestock is much more than sticking animals on a boat and setting sail.

With shipments ranging from 3000 to 15,000 animals, the logistics to manage livestock being exported can be overwhelming. But every head of cattle leaving New Zealand has to spend time in a pre-export isolation facility.

The process is comprehensive, with extensive paperwork, and only a small number of farms have the capability to carry out the process and house such a large number of animals. But due to the sensitivities around the subject and fear of retaliation, Dairy Farmer has chosen not to identify any of the farmers involved or their location.

One farmer we spoke to is disappointed at the decision the Government has made. He points out the Gulf 1 tragedy was a maritime disaster, not an export disaster, highlighting if it was a container ship it is likely we never would have heard about it

“It was the captain who chose to risk it, which had dire consequences, but there were no faults with the state of the ship or the care of the animals; it’s just another smack in the chops for rural New Zealand,” he says.

“We are lucky here, we export 90% of our agricultural production to countries that aren’t self-sufficient and need countries like us to help them feed their people.

“It’s a reality we breed more animals than we need in NZ, and if I was a cow I’d rather go on a boat trip and learn a bit of Mandarin than have my head chopped off.”

The teams running the show are experienced and efficient so it is smooth sailing from the day the animals start arriving, to when they leave the facilities to board their ship.

Before they leave their farm of origin, the animals undergo various testing and are kept separate from other animals for a specific time period. They are tested again when they arrive at the pre-export isolation facility, scanned, weighed and sorted into mobs.

The animals are at the facility for a minimum of 30 days, depending on the requirements of the importing country. And due to the numbers involved and coming from farms all over the country, it can take up to a week for the full shipment to arrive.

“We can’t sit on our pedestal thinking we’re better than everyone else, not all of our animals are well looked after here in New Zealand too. We see the condition some animals arrive in before export, some will have a far better life in China,” he says.

Throughout their time in pre-export isolation cattle get pregnancy tested and any freemartins are removed. There are various blood tests, vaccinations and drench programmes carried out. They come through the yards five or six times and the teams need to be on the ball with management.

The work creates employment for a number of local people and although it is consistent, the proven processes keep things moving so they are not flat out. It does mean the whole team needs to be focused, especially with all the rigorous quality control checks and paperwork involved.

Diet requirements for the animals vary depending on what the exporter needs and what condition they arrive at the facility in. There are minimum weight requirements to be exported, as well as agreements with the importer. So the pre-export isolation facilities work hard to reach those targets and ensure all the animals are well-fed at all times.

A week before they are due to depart they will begin transitioning onto the diet they will receive on the ship. Special pellets are made, including some of their fibre requirements, as they are the most efficient feed to transport on the ship and an easy way to guarantee the cattle are receiving quality nutrients.

The whole process runs like a welloiled machine and has been done for many years but there is always room for improvement and the farmers involved with pre-export isolation would happily oblige to any further requirements to support the continuation of the trade.

Some export stakeholders talk of the need to lift animal welfare standards worldwide and they can see how continuing to export to China will allow us to help them improve.

“It is not just a few dollars at stake, the export trade brings significant premiums, which will be a huge loss to our economy if it stops altogether,” he says. n

All stock exported overseas must spend up to a month at an isolation facility where they are tested regularly, vaccinated and transitioned to special pellets in their diet.

More than trucking around

By Samantha Tennent

The effects of the upcoming cattle export ban is far-reaching, as transport companies say it will undoubtedly impact the industry.

It is an intricate process collecting cattle from multiple starting points, delivering them to their quarantine facility and then returning four weeks or so later to transport them to the port. Transporting export livestock is a specialised job that creates significant workloads for transport companies and they will certainly take a hit with the upcoming ban on the trade.

One company has been involved for eight years and the owner shares his experiences, but we cannot name him due to privacy concerns. His drivers have been subject to protestors interrupting their business and threatening them in the past.

The load-in is an intense period, collecting cattle from all over the country and taking them to their pre-export isolation facility. They are dealing with large numbers of animals and following specific quarantine requirements. The weather also plays a big part.

All trucks have to be thoroughly washed before they can transport export animals. And they cannot collect any other animals while they are in quarantine status, so they need to dedicate the time and resources especially.

The extra workload generates extra employment and the service is worth a premium to the transport business to cover the added costs of cleaning and following protocols. They develop close relationships with the preisolation facility farmers and the ban is disappointing on a personal level, as well as the impacts it will have on business.

He does not share the same views the Government has raised about animal welfare.

“As a transporter, we see a lot of animals in all kinds of conditions and there are certainly no concerns with the export trade,” he says.

“We see the cattle we take in and out of the pre-export isolation facilities and see first-hand how well they are looked after in quarantine and the product that is going away.

“I can’t see any reason for concern.”

He complies with the regulations mapped out by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Overseas Market Access Requirements. And if there was an opportunity to continue the trade with further regulations, he would willingly adjust their processes to ensure they are providing another level of assurance.

“It’s a large part of our business and if there was a solution that pleases those who do have concerns, then we would happily work with it,” he says.

“The exporting avenue is something New Zealand needs, we have a lot of extra cattle in our dairy system and exporting is one way of moving those cattle.”

“We see the cattle we take in and out of the pre-export isolation facilities and see firsthand how well they are looked after in quarantine and the product that is going away.”

Transport companies moving stock around for export say the industry generates employment and is worth a premium. Cattle arrive at the port ready to be loaded for their journey.

Ongoing search for solutions

By Mark Willis

The Animal Genetic Trade Association has been working closely with the Government on live exports and say many changes have already been made to standards with work ongoing.

There is a lot of controversy around exporting livestock from New Zealand, despite exceptional performance measures in support of the trade. Mortality rates are low and there is high demand for NZ livestock from our trading partners with model farming enterprises.

There are allegations those involved in the trade are secretive and the animals are subject to unacceptably high risk and poor welfare outcomes, but these misleading perceptions have serious consequences.

In April, the NZ Government announced livestock export by sea would be banned. There would be a transition period to allow the trade to wind down. Unlike other industries, there was no probationary period to allow the industry a chance to prove it can adapt to an improved regulatory regime. This had been recommended by two official reviews.

Stakeholders involved in the industry feel the Government has failed them. For several years we have requested more effective regulation and licensing regimes to ensure integrity and consistency. That all participants operate to a high standard.

Consequences of the ban include millions of dollars of on-farm income lost domestically and it hurts our relationships with our international trading partners who have large concerns around food security. Being able to import livestock supports their food production.

Despite all the negativity, some good has come from the adversity with the export industry and regulators communicating more clearly. And the shake-up has motivated the industry to search for solutions to mitigate the risks and concerns the Government has raised. Without improvement, there is no chance of survival.

The industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have entered into a continuous improvement programme, meeting weekly to discuss and implement substantive animal welfare improvements.

So, what’s changed? A lot.

There are more stock handlers on board vessels, as well as veterinarians, to improve the quality of stock management, care and supervision. Stocking densities have been considerably lowered to provide all animals more space and pregnancy requirements have been tightened to minimise the risk of pregnancy-related incidents during the voyage.

There are minimum weight and body score condition requirements throughout the export process, starting from the time the animal is selected on the property of origin.

There is a more robust and comprehensive process around obtaining an animal welfare export certificate from MPI before an exporter is able to prepare animals for export. And the industry is leading a due diligence programme that provides individualised suggestions surrounding management plans for all vessels that arrive in NZ.

There are improved reporting systems to allow transparent and detailed reporting on a number of important measures of animal welfare throughout the export process and guidelines have been developed detailing management best practices during the voyage.

Nutrition has been reviewed in detail and there have been significant improvements to raise the minimum requirements throughout.

In less than a year of working constructively with MPI, the industry has made massive gains in welfare standards. The pressure the ban announcement put on has turbo-charged negotiation timeframes. But we still don’t feel like it is enough.

To be viable, the industry must contribute towards achieving the Government objective of positioning NZ as a premium provider of agricultural products that have been produced in the most sustainable and ethical manner.

And the industry recognises there needs to be a transparent and reliable ‘gold standard’ of animal welfare. A world-leading standard that assures NZ we are doing a great job and that the cattle are being responsibly cared for throughout the export process and beyond. A standard that we hope that NZ can be proud of.

The Government is already moving quickly to pass this legislation. If you agree this industry should be given the opportunity to continue to improve, it is critical you make a submission. The formal deadline for submissions to the select committee is December 2 and you can connect with your local MP. n

The Animal Genetic Trade Association chairperson Mark Willis says the incoming ban on exporting livestock will cost millions of dollars in lost revenue and hurt trade relationships.

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