Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor set up the taskforce in August to address concerns about the impacts of some intensive winter grazing practices.
The group’s 11 recommendations say more work is needed to understand and mitigate the long-term animal welfare consequences and more knowledge is needed of the barriers to farmers adopting improve animal welfare practices.
It recommends more active surveillance to ensure animal welfare standards are met and a pan-sector group to implement recommendations.
DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb and Federated Farmers say they generally agree with the report but its objectives need to be more practical because they a simply not achievable, even with the very best management.
They also panned it for being too negative, saying farmers with good practices have not been adquately acknowledged.
“It is important that the taskforce’s recommendations are practical and workable for farmers,” B+LNZ biosecurity and animal welfare senior adviser Will Halliday said.
“Animals are at the heart of all farming systems and our farmers work hard to balance animals, environment and business performance within a biological and outdoor system where guarantees and absolutes are difficult.
“We’re looking forward to working with the Government to improve the recommendations into a form that will achieve the environmental and animal welfare outcomes we all want. Managed winter grazing on crops can be environmentally responsible and improve animal health and wellbeing over the colder months.”
B+LNZ and DairyNZ welcome being part of the pan-sector group but want farmer representatives included.
DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr Jenny Jago said “Wintering animals on crops is an important management tool for farmers in some regions and, done well, good outcomes for both animals and the environment are achieved.
“We feel it is important to recognise the areas where good work is already under way then focus efforts on additional support to lift outcomes where needed.
“Many farmers have good animal welfare practices and may feel disheartened to see this report does not reflect their good work.
“The report states farmers should always provide animals with a soft, dry surface to lie on, which, in an outdoor system subject to weather conditions, is simply not achievable even with the very best management” Jago said.
O’Connor said the Government is committed to working alongside farmers to maintain their ability to export the valuable New Zealand brand and open new markets.
“Our international reputation depends on getting this sort of thing right as does our social licence to operate within NZ.”
O’Connor has told the Ministry for Primary Industries to work with farmers and industry groups to ensure the sector gets the help it needs.
“I know that many farmers are already changing and adapting their practice and I thank them for the effort. We want to help in that work.”
O’Connor will now establish the action group to begin implementing the recommedations by next winter.
