The Primary Industries Ministry was working to have strengthened regulations in place by August, deputy director general Scott Gallacher said.
Chief among the proposed changes were a prohibition on blunt force trauma for onfarm calf-killing, a full four days onfarm before transport to slaughter, a maximum of eight hours in transit and the crossing of Cook Strait prohibited.
What MPI called Young Calf Management Regulatory Proposals were contained in Animal Welfare Code consultations but had been hastened in response to Save Animals From Exploitation (SAFE) videos of bobby calf ill-treatment late last year.
Gallacher said MPI was pleased with the level of engagement and feedback during the submission process and that 10% of the 1500 total submissions on animal welfare had specifically concerned bobby calves.
Submissions were now closed and MPI was working to draft new regulations for Cabinet approval.
The bobby calf section of the consultation and drafting process was kicked off by the Bobby Calf Action Group set up after the SAFE footage was shown on television.
Members of the group were DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Meat Industry Association, Federated Farmers, Petfood Manufacturers Association, Road Transport Forum, the Veterinary Association and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The core of the Young Calf Management Regulatory Proposals as they affect farmers was the requirement for facilities to enable bobby calves to walk on and off transport by their own action.
It also proposed that calves had access to shelter that was clean, dry, adequately ventilated and ensured protection from stress arising from hot or cold temperatures.
Calves should not be transported for processing and slaughter until they were at least four days old.
In the European Union they must be 10 days old.
They must be free from disease, deformity and disability, and be capable of moving and protecting themselves against trampling by other calves.
They must be either fed or slaughtered within 24 hours of their last feed.
The maximum journey from farm to slaughter should be no more than eight hours and the crossing of Cook Strait prohibited.
Finally, the use of blunt force trauma to the head to kill calves was to be prohibited.
MPI indicated infringements of the regulations would attract fines of $300 to $500 but prosecutable offences would have maximum fines of $5000 for an individual and $25,000 for a body corporate.
A breach of the maximum journey time would be infringement-only and not a prosecution offence.
A form of Animal Status Declaration covering all people and companies handling bobby calves from birth until slaughter had also been suggested, saying they had complied or would comply with specified minimum standards of care.
MPI has not yet adopted that proposal.
DairyNZ and veterinarians were holding more than 50 workshops on bobby calf supply chain awareness, responsibilities and good practice advice in June and July under the name CalvingSmart.
DairyNZ policy and advocacy general manager Carol Barnao said very strong bobby calf guidance was being published now.
“Farmers generally want to do the best they can so we are providing easy, smart ways of showing how to comply with the proposed regulations.”
Meanwhile, MPI has laid 14 charges against undisclosed individuals and companies arising out of the SAFE videos taken in Waikato.
