Live sheep exports

Authors: Mason H
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 5, pp 73, May 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Biosecurity, Import/export/trade, Transport
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The policy of the N.Z.V.A. in this matter of live sheep exports seems to have a very shaky foundation in either logic or ethics. We support it `providing the health and welfare requirements are met`. To my mind this means humane handling and slaughter and as little travel stress as possible; in other words kill them as close to home as the nearest freezing works and within the provisions of the Animals Protection Act and Meat Regulations. To ship them for three weeks, to expose them to preslaughter handling which has been described as `cruel, primitive, and barbaric` and to slaughter them without stunning cannot by any logical gymnastics be considered as providing for their health and welfare. That the task force is taking `what steps it can to encourage improved slaughter methods in the countries for which the sheep are destined` is wholly laudable, and I am afraid will prove completely ineffective. I am also of the opinion that the onus was on the N.Z.V.A. to find out what were the conditions of handling, transport and slaughter from the farms here, to death in the country buying them before the decision was made to support the trade at all. The dubious and cruel practices have been well documented by…

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