The absolute ban on live exports was imposed on September 22 while the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) launched the independent Mike Heron QC review into the animal welfare assurances it receives from exporters following the tragic loss of the Gulf Livestock 1.
Following the Heron review, MPI introduced new requirements for livestock exports, lifting the absolute ban from October 24 to a conditional ban until November 30.
MPI director-general Ray Smith says the conditional ban period following the review was a case of “moving quickly to ensure no serious welfare issue for the 24,000 cattle in pre-export isolation (PEI).”
Over the past three weeks, the three exporters responsible for the cattle in PEI have successfully applied for Animal Welfare Export Certification (AWEC) for four shipments of cattle all destined for China.
MPI director of animal health and welfare Chris Rodwell confirmed the four AWECs applied for since the conditional ban started on October 24 are for the 24,000 animals placed in PEI when Cabinet imposed the absolute ban.
“The 24,000 animals are equivalent to four shipments, two are already on their way to China, one shipment is being prepared in Napier and the fourth is expected in New Plymouth this week,” Rodwell said.
As with all shipments, Rodwell says exporters must meet both existing and the new requirements and seek the approval of the MPI director-general.
The conditional ban is in place until the end of the month.
“Exporters met the additional requirements for the shipments on their way to China,” he said.
“No shipment can depart until all requirements are met.”
MPI will continue to work with exporters on AWEC applications.
“It is important to note that the conditional ban remains in place until November 30,” he said.
“Any future exports will have to meet the existing requirements as well as the new ones, and the vessels will continue to be subject to maritime-focused inspections by Maritime NZ.”
Advice is still being finalised on the 2019 wider policy review.
Once complete, it will be provided to the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor and it will then be up to the Cabinet to make decisions.
The independent Heron review will feed into the wider review work.
“The future of livestock exports is a decision for the Cabinet, not MPI,” he said.
“Government will make decisions on the wider review.”
Meantime, MPI will continue to consider AWECs as required by regulations.
Once the conditional ban is lifted, the Animal Welfare (temporary prohibition on export by sea) Regulations 2020 “revoke themselves on December 8, 2020”.
At this stage there is no clear timeframe for any future decisions.
The export of live animals has been under review by the Government since June 2019.
Advice from the Heron review is expected to be provided to the Government “soon”.
Several exporters are continuing to procure and quarantine cattle to meet existing import orders with expectation of getting further shipments of cattle on the water before Christmas.
