The welfare code for dairy cattle is being re-issued with amendments covering the humane destruction of calves on farms and will take effect on June 13, in time for this year’s calving season, Primary Industries Minister and dairy farmer Nathan Guy said.
The move follows a world-wide outcry after film showed calves on a New Zealand-owned farm in Chile being hit on the head with a hammer.
“In February this year I asked the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) for advice on euthanising calves on farms by manual blunt force,” Guy said.
“NAWAC received 357 submissions during consultation and a large proportion supported the proposed changes to the code.
“NAWAC concluded that on balance, manual blunt force trauma as a routine method for killing calves is not acceptable and should be only reserved for unforeseen emergencies.
“The (new) code states explicitly that calves must not be killed by the use of blunt force trauma caused by a blow to the head, except in unforeseen emergencies,” Guy said.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries is working with the dairy industry to ensure that training is available for farmers in alternative methods such as the use of a captive bolt.
“All operators must be suitably trained and competent.
“NZ has a world-leading animal welfare reputation to live up to.
“It matters to NZers and to international consumers of our animal products,” Guy said.
