For immediate release: 22 April 2004

Meat Exporters Urged to Uphold Animal Welfare Standards

The Royal New Zealand SPCA says that meat processors and exporters must remember the sensitivity of overseas markets to scenes of animal cruelty or neglect.

Earlier this week, the "Holmes" programme on TV One carried a report concerning Clover Exports, a Southland "exotic meat processor", engaged in supplying horse meat to the European luxury market.

The horses appeared to be extremely thin. One of the horses from the site has been humanely euthanased on the instructions of a Ministry of Agriculture vet.

"This is not the first occasion that there have been complaints about the poor condition of horses in the care of this company," says the Royal New Zealand SPCA's Chief Executive, Peter Blomkamp.

"Along with so many other New Zealanders, we were disturbed by the scenes of emaciated horses shown on television. Once again, Clover seems to be giving too low a priority to the horses' welfare," he adds.

Mr Blomkamp says that the SPCA's primary concern is for the welfare of the animals involved. But he says there is also cause for concern over the damage cases of this type can do to New Zealand's reputation as a humane and responsible exporter of animal products.

"Producers need to remember that we live in a 'global village' and that there is always a possibility that television clips of animals in poor condition will be viewed overseas. European markets are amongst the most sensitive to hints of animal cruelty or neglect and scenes of emaciated animals could spark consumer boycotts of a wide range of New Zealand farm products.

"The humane treatment of farm animals should be an ethical imperative for all New Zealanders. But, as a meat-exporting nation, it is also in our own interests to give animal welfare a high priority. Most of our exporters understand this requirement. It's about time the others came into line," he says.

Mr Blomkamp adds that people sending horses to companies such as Clover Exports should ensure their animals are in good condition before they are transported. There is also, he says, an obligation on stock transporters to refuse to carry animals in poor condition.

ENDS

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