Open letter to the Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Alliance for Animals, together with 19 leading animal protection organisations in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, have written an open letter to Prime Minister Luxon, asking that his Government retain the ban on exports of farmed animals by sea.
Dear Prime Minister Luxon,
International animal protection groups unite to urge you to retain the ban on export of farmed animals by sea.
Representing leading animal protection organisations from around the globe, we write to commend New Zealand’s world-leading ban on farmed animal exports by sea and implore you, as Prime Minister and leader of the National-led coalition government, to retain it.
The ban on livestock export by sea is crucial in protecting New Zealand’s reputation as an ethical, progressive global trading partner and preventing your exported farmed animals from experiencing horrific cruelty. Animal welfare science shows that animals suffer severely during long-haul live export voyages and that this suffering is inherent to the trade. This sad reality was reflected, yet again, in the shocking footage of cattle plastered in their own excrement, broadcast last week (20/11/24) on 1News.
Experience has shown that the suffering associated with long-haul voyages by sea cannot be addressed through regulation or improved standards. No legally robust pathway exists for enforcement of New Zealand’s law outside its own jurisdiction, the animal welfare issues are cumulative, and risks are inherent to every voyage. The only way to prevent more suffering, and another inevitable livestock export maritime disaster, is for you to retain the ban.
Repealing the ban creates volatility and vulnerability for New Zealand’s farming communities, especially given commitments made by Labour and Greens that upon re-election they will reinstate the ban. Retaining the ban provides security and surety; it enables New Zealand’s farmers to confidently plan ahead and lead by example by adopting more humane market pathways. It also ensures that contemporary community expectations across New Zealand, Australia, and internationally, are reflected in more sustainable trade practices.
Animal welfare is a priority across all the countries we represent. Our communities wish never again to have to bear witness to images like these or learn of another tragic loss of life such as occurred when the MV Gulf Livestock 1 sank in 2020, killing 41 men, including New Zealanders, Lochie Bellerby and Scott Harris, Australians, William Mainprize and Lukas Orda, and 5,867 New Zealand heifers.
New Zealand’s ban on livestock export by sea demonstrated global leadership, and helped support an increasing trend for developed nations to transition out of the trade, including Australia’s recent legislated end date of May 2028 for live sheep exports.
Prime Minister, we strongly urge you not to repeal the ban. Please retain it - for the animals, for farmers and for a more humane and sustainable global community. The world is watching you and your decision on this critical animal welfare issue.
Yours sincerely,
Reineke Hameleers, Chief Executive Officer, Eurogroup for Animals
Philip Lymbery, Global Chief Executive Officer, Compassion in World Farming
Chris Sherwin, Chief Executive Officer, RSPCA (England & Wales)
Maria Boada-Saña, Project Leader on Live Animal Transport by Sea, Animal Welfare Foundation
Dr Bidda Jones AM, Director of Strategy, Australian Alliance for Animals
Glenys Oogjes, Chief Executive Officer, Animals Australia
Ben Pearson, Country Director, Australia & New Zealand, World Animal Protection
Rebecca Linigen, National Director, Four Paws Australia
Erica Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Humane Society International Australia
Ondine Sherman, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Voiceless
Richard Mussell, Chief Executive Officer, RSPCA Australia
Rosemary Elliot, President, Sentient
Alicia Sutton, Chair, Stop Live Exports
Dr Sue Foster, Spokesperson, Vets Against Live Export
Angela Martin, Founder, Australia Against Live Exports
Dawn Lowe, Project Manager Australia, Animals’ Angels
Dr Helen Beattie, Managing Director, VAWA
Dr Arnja Dale, Chief Science Officer, SPCA New Zealand
Debra Ashton, Chief Executive Officer, SAFE (Save Animals from Exploitation)
Photo credit: Anon NZ Vet | 1News