4 WHAT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE, BY LAW

Good animal husbandry is always important on New Zealand farms, but in drought conditions it becomes even more of a priority.

Few farmers willingly jeopardise the wellbeing of their animals, but sometimes the health of individual sheep and cattle can be compromised in the interests of general flock or herd welfare, unless care is taken.

Under NZ animal welfare legislation there are codes that take account of five basic animal welfare requirements: • freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition; • the provision of appropriate comfort and shelter; • the prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease or infestation with parasites; • freedom from distress; • the ability to display normal patterns of behavior.

The Animals Protection Act 1960 indicates that an offence is committed if anyone: • being the owner or person in charge of any animal, omits to supply the animal with proper and sufficient food, water and shelter; • being the owner or person in charge of any animal, without reasonable excuse, neglects the animal so that it suffers unreasonable or unnecessary pain or suffering; • keeps alive any animal that is in such a condition that it is cruel to keep it alive.