Member consultation

The Primary Production Committee has invited the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) to provide a submission in response to the petition of John Hellstrom: Do not reverse the ban on the live export of farmed animals by sea.

Background

In 2022, the Animal Welfare Amendment Act was passed, prohibiting the export of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep by ship. This decision followed extensive consultation, attracted strong public support, and was endorsed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). In April 2023, New Zealand became the first country in the world to implement a full ban on the live export of livestock by sea, whether for breeding or slaughter.

The current coalition government, composed of the National, ACT, and New Zealand First parties, has since agreed to repeal this ban. In announcing their plans, the government stated that it intends to allow live animal exports to resume under what it describes as “the highest animal welfare standards.” The details of these standards, and how they would be enforced, remain unclear.

Public sentiment remains strongly opposed to reversing the ban. During the government’s consultation process in 2022, the majority of submissions supported prohibition. An independent SPCA-commissioned survey conducted in December 2023 reported that only 19% of New Zealanders supported lifting the ban. This concern is reflected again in John Hellstrom’s petition, which has attracted over 57,000 signatures and will now be formally considered by Parliament.

NZVA consultation

The NZVA has an approved position statement on the live export of ruminants by sea, which was revised and reconfirmed following the government’s announcement of repeal. In preparing our submission to the Primary Production Committee, it is important that we represent the perspectives of our members, including the ethical, scientific, and practical considerations that underpin veterinary views on this issue.

This survey seeks your feedback to help shape the NZVA’s submission. Your input will ensure that our response reflects the breadth of veterinary expertise and the values of the profession. All responses will be treated confidentially, collated into themes, and used only to inform NZVA’s submission to the Committee.

The survey will close on Monday 1 September at 5pm. Feedback will then be compiled into NZVA’s submission, which will be provided to the Primary Production Committee shortly thereafter.

Have your say on live exports of ruminants by sea

The Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians Branch of the NZVA is seeking feedback on current pain relief prescribing practices for lambs, particularly for castration and tail docking.

Pain relief for these procedures is an area of increasing focus from industry bodies, processors, animal welfare groups, and the public. At the same time, veterinarians have professional obligations to consider the safety, efficacy, and compliance aspects of any medication before prescribing it. In some cases, this professional judgement may lead to a decision that a product is unsuitable for a particular situation.

There is also active discussion at both national and international levels about standards and expectations for pain relief use in sheep, including the role of veterinarians in assessing suitability rather than simply availability. To ensure that any NZVA position or guidance reflects the reality of on-farm practice, it is essential to have current, representative data from veterinarians working with sheep.

This survey aims to:

• understand current prescribing patterns for pain relief in lambs undergoing castration and tail docking
• identify the products most commonly used, preferred methods, and timing of administration
• capture experiences with training, client communication, and adverse events
• gauge members’ views on the suitability and safety of currently available products
• identify research gaps and priorities for the future.

Survey responses will be collated and analysed by the NZVA Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians Committee. Findings will inform the NZVA’s policy discussions, position statements, and advocacy with industry and regulators. Individual responses will remain confidential, and results will only be reported in aggregated form.

Estimated time to complete: 10–12 minutes

Thank you for taking the time to contribute your expertise—your input is essential to ensuring NZVA positions are evidence-based, practical, and supportive of veterinarians in the field.

Have your say on pain relief in lambs