Winter Grazing Taskforce makes recommendations to improve practices

“I established the Winter Grazing Taskforce in response to concerns about the impacts on animal welfare of some intensive winter grazing practices”, Mr. O’Connor said.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Wellington | Updated: 25-11-2019 07:08 IST | Created: 25-11-2019 07:08 IST
Winter Grazing Taskforce makes recommendations to improve practices
“The next step will be the establishment of an action group to begin implementing the recommendations so we can see some progress next winter and beyond”. Image Credit: Pixabay
  • Country:
  • New Zealand

A Taskforce has made 11 recommendations to improve animal welfare in intensive winter grazing farm systems, the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor confirmed today.

“I established the Winter Grazing Taskforce in response to concerns about the impacts on animal welfare of some intensive winter grazing practices”, Mr. O’Connor said.

“I asked the Taskforce to do a stocktake of the multiple initiatives that are already underway to promote good winter grazing and identify where we might work more together to improve practices.

The recommendations include:

More work to understand and mitigate the long-term animal welfare consequences of intensive winter grazing practices

Expand knowledge of barriers to adopting improved animal welfare practices

More active surveillance to ensure animal welfare standards are being met

The establishment of a pan-sector action group to implement the recommendations

“Winter crop grazing is necessary for some parts of the country to provide enough feed for stock at a time when there’s not a lot of pasture, but we must ensure farmers have the right tools and advice to ensure animal welfare.

“As a Government, we’re committed to working alongside farmers to maintain their ability to export on our valuable New Zealand brand and open up new trading markets. Our international reputation depends on getting this sort of thing right, as does our social license to operate within New Zealand.

“Some farmers manage this system very well but for those who don’t – we’ve got to find a way of doing it better and help them do so.

“Following the taskforce’s report, I’ve asked the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to work with farmers and industry groups to ensure farmers get the help they need.

“I know that many farmers are already changing and adapting their practice and I thank them for the effort. We want to help with that work.

“The next step will be the establishment of an action group to begin implementing the recommendations so we can see some progress next winter and beyond”.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)

Give Feedback