**Media Release from the National Animal Welfare Advisor Committee

(NAWAC)**

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2012 Annual Report today.

NAWAC provided independent advice on a number of high profile codes in 2012, with the Minister for Primary Industries approving three; the revised meat chickens code, the new code of welfare for goats and the revised layer hens code.

There was strong public response to the review of the 2005 layer hen code which was recommended to the Minister along with the new llama and alpaca code.

Committee deputy chairwoman, Dr Karen Phillips, says the layer hen code review attracted over 300 substantive submissions and over 35 thousand cards and emails requesting the banning of battery cages.

“NAWAC considered the feedback carefully and sought information from a variety of other sources before finalising its advice to the Minister.”

The Committee was also involved in developing advice on proposals for an Animal Welfare Strategy and the revision of the Animal Welfare Act.

“The effect of these proposals is likely to result in some significant changes in the way NAWAC operates in the future,” says Dr Phillips.

Other developments for the year include continued work on a new code for horses and a revised code for rodeos and need for a revision of the dairy cattle code to address housing systems.

NAWAC is an independent advisory committee to the Minister for Primary Industries. It was established under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to the welfare of animals in New Zealand and to develop codes of welfare.

A copy of the annual report is available at: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/Default.aspx?TabId=126&id=1844

ENDS

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