MPI failing our animals and damaging our reputation

Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy must immediately investigate the way in which the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been enforcing animal welfare standards in our dairy industry, the Green Party said today.

The call comes after TV One’s Sunday programme revealed shocking footage of animals being severely mistreated on a farm and in a slaughterhouse, which MPI has yet to act on.

“Like many New Zealanders, I am absolutely sickened by what happened to those animals,” said Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Mojo Mathers.

“Nathan Guy needs to urgently look into how his ministry is enforcing animal welfare standards, how these appalling incidents happened under its watch and what it’s going to do prevent similar incidents happening again in the future.

“Dairying is one of the most important industries for New Zealand’s economy – New Zealanders trust MPI to make sure our animals are treated humanely and our international reputation is protected.

“The footage is going to be beamed around the world. Calves being torn from their mothers, left in the hot sun for hours and being bludgeoned to death – is that what we really want New Zealand to be known for?

“People around the world who we rely on to buy our milk and meat are going to be revolted by the way we treat our animals in New Zealand.

“Nathan Guy needs to urgently look into why the system he’s in charge of isn’t working to protect animals and to protect our international reputation.

“If the Minister and MPI can’t get their acts together then we need to look at appointing an independent body to oversee animal welfare – what’s happening now clearly isn’t working,” said Ms Mathers.

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