New Zealand to Ban Live Animal Sea Exports by April 2023

In a huge win for animals, New Zealand has announced a ban on the export of live animals by sea from April 2023 due to animal welfare concerns. The ban will affect their trading partners, including Australia and China.

Source: SAFE for Animals New Zealand/YouTube

The ban comes after a ship that left the shores of New Zealand with 6000 cattle, and 43 crew members capsized in 2020. In New Zealand, live exports by the sea make up 0.2 percent of the export revenue. The export of live animals by air is still allowed, however.

The Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor has said that the ban will protect New Zealand’s reputation of being a ‘global leader in animal welfare standards’. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth. New Zealand has a population of over 5 million people but has about 10 million cattle and 26 million sheep. In addition, half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture.

Animals are forced to travel long distances for hours of stress and discomfort, often without food, water, or breaks. These poor animals are abused, and numerous investigations have found the heartbreaking physical abuse that workers put these prisoners for profit through.

Billions of live and sentient animals suffer each year as they are exported around the world in extremely dangerous and deadly conditions, with at least 5 million live animals in transit each day. These treacherous journeys often last several days, weeks, and even months as animals are transported from one country to another by air, land, or sea in unbearable conditions. Upon arrival to their final destination, usually in countries with little to no animal welfare legislation, those able to survive transportation are often only met with more suffering, brutality, inhumane slaughter, and even being used for sacrifices.

Although this ban will be a step in the right direction, we know that this will not solve all of our problems. The fact remains that reducing meat or dairy products is the best and sure shot for the environment, your health, and the animals. Check out this calculator that tells you how many animals, gallons of water, and carbon emissions you can save by not eating meat.

Related Content:

• Victory! India Banned Live Export After Public Protest
• Victory! Isreal Moves One Step Closer to Phasing Out Cruel Live Export
• 2,400 Sheep Died On Horrific Live Export Ship – Let’s End This Cruelty For Good!
• New Documentary Exposes Cruel Live Animals Exports in Brazil
• New Zealand Announces Plan to Charge Farmers for Emissions From Their Livestock
• 200,000 Chickens Found Dead Due to Overheating on New Zealand Farm

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