Dairy industry bodies are supporting the move to ban manual blunt force trauma as a routine method for euthanising calves.
Industry bodies DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand agree that blunt force should only be reserved for unforeseen emergencies where better alternatives are not immediately available.
DairyNZ strategy and investment leader for sustainability, Dr Rick Pridmore, says the changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle, outlined by the Minister for Primary Industries’ today, have provided clarity for farmers.
“Most dairy cattle, including calves, are generally not slaughtered on farms by farmers anyway but are sent to processing facilities. However, today’s move to amend the code of welfare makes it much clearer what is an emergency and what is acceptable practice on farms when that situation does arise. Farmers need to be trained and competent ¨C and that’s an entirely reasonable expectation.”
Dr Pridmore says DairyNZ is working with the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure that training and support is available for farmers in alternative methods such as the use of a captive bolt.
“We are confident as an industry that we have the necessary resources and training programmes in place to adequately prepare farmers for this change. “We have 21 training workshops planned for June and July that will cover humane slaughter on-farm, and we are also going to partner with veterinarians to deliver more workshops in the future,” he says.
Executive director for the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Kimberly Crewther, says the change aligns with international research-based recommendations and will support New Zealand maintaining its reputation for high standards of animal welfare.
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“The New Zealand dairy industry values high standards of animal welfare. Consumers and the general public can be confident that our standards are robust for the care of cattle including calves,” she says.
The code of welfare for dairy cattle will be reissued with amendments covering the humane destruction of dairy cattle on farms, and will come into effect on June 13 – ahead of this year’s calving season.
ABOUT DAIRYNZ:
DairyNZ is the industry organisation representing New Zealand’s dairy farmers. Our purpose is to secure and enhance the profitability, sustainability and competitiveness of New Zealand dairy farming.
For more information, visit www.dairynz.co.nz
Media Contact:
Bernie Walsh
Communications manager
DairyNZ 027 703 0211
Bernie.walsh@dairynz.co.nz