Welfare of Animals for Slaughter: Proposals
Updated regulations covering the welfare of animals destined for commercial slaughter have been published for comment by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (which operates under the auspices of Biosecurity NZ).
The Animal Welfare (Commercial Slaughter) Code of Welfare 2006 (draft) covers millions of animals from the period of their unloading at abattoirs through until death. In the case of on-farm slaughter, the period considered is from yarding to slaughter. For aquatic animals, the period considered is from capture to slaughter.
The proposed code will affect:
- farmed mammals, birds, finfish, crustacean and any other species defined in the Animal Welfare Act 1999 that are slaughtered to produce animal products for trade, whether for human or animal consumption, or for rendering or manufacture as fertiliser or fur production;
- mammals and birds in a wild state that are caught alive, taken into a person's care and later killed; and
- finfish, eels, crab, lobster or crayfish that are caught from the wild and held in captivity at an on-shore premises including restaurants, prior to slaughter for sale as food.
Submissions close 27 February. The draft code can be accessed from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/consult. Submissions should be sent to NAWAC Secretary, MAF, PO Box 2526, Wellington, or email to animalwelfare@maf.govt.nz
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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