The Government is considering a ban on the live export of cattle as part of a review of the trade in live animals.
Walsh has been involved with live cattle exports for many years and said it’s been a lucrative option for farmers selling livestock.
“There’s no doubting, it will be a hell of thing to have it shut down.
“It will be a significant loss to farmers and livestock trading in general.”
Walsh said the live cattle export market is consistently $200-$300 a head above local market value.
“Like anything the more competition the sharper the pencil, suddenly we lose a key piece of the competition puzzle and it comes down to a single desk sector and that’s a real worry,” Walsh said.
He expressed concerned about a decision being driven by animal welfare.
“My challenge to all those opposing the live trade is to get involved, tell us what’s wrong and help fix it.
“I don’t think there’s too much wrong at all to fix.
“These ships are like five-star hotels with the best stockmanship and feed on board that you could ever imagine.
“There’s a lot of good in the live export trade but that’s never highlighted because the animal welfare activists seemingly get the air time and it would be really sad if the decision to stop this trading is unfairly based on mistruth.”
Walsh said farmers and stakeholders in the livestock industry are as keen as anyone to ensure the highest possible animal welfare.
“We don’t get paid for dead stock.”
While the number of live cattle shipped a year dropped from 40,000 to 17,000 and decreased in value by $54.2 million over the three years 2016-2018, Walsh said it’s still an important option for livestock trading in NZ.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says a conditional ban on the live export of cattle is one of several options being considered as part of a review of the trade in live animals.
The continued export of cattle might be a risk to NZ’s brand.
“The time has come to rethink this area and consider whether it’s something that fits within our values as a country.
“When animals leave NZ we set conditions that are considered world-class by veterinarians but there have been incidents over the last few years that highlight the fact that once animals leave NZ we have very limited ability to ensure their wellbeing when they reach their destination.
“That’s something that’s not acceptable to me and I know it’s not acceptable to a large number of New Zealanders.”
Animal welfare standards are a growing focus of consumers around the world, he said.
“We need to ensure we have the highest level of animal welfare standards.
“Our economic wellbeing depends on it.
“Now is the time for us to demonstrate NZ’s leadership and commitment to upholding the highest standards of animal welfare.”
O’Connor has directed Primary Industries Ministry officials to review all possible options.
The options presented in the review range from tightening up the existing standards to absolute or conditional prohibition on some or all parts of the trade.
He expects the matter will go to Cabinet’s economic development committee for consideration later next month.
