Live export of ruminants by sea
There is a range of opinions on the live export of ruminants by sea. The New Zealand Veterinary Association opposes the export of any live ruminant by sea, unless its welfare is adequately managed according to the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the 2015 Amendment to the Act that recognises animals as sentient. The registered veterinarians responsible for the ruminants’ care must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians. Consideration should be given to the lifetime of the ruminants, and once the ruminants are outside New Zealand jurisdiction the welfare of the ruminants should meet a minimum of the international standards of the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH).
