New rules for live exports

Wellington: Rules governing the export of live animals by ship will be toughened up by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

This follows the release of a report written for the ministry by Mike Heron QC.

That report was commissioned after Gulf Livestock 1 sank in the East China Sea.

Fortythree crew, including two New Zealanders, were lost, as were nearly 6000 head of cattle.

All live shipments were banned after that event, pending the inquiry.

The ministry says there will now be extra requirements on exporters.

These include focused maritime inspections of all livestock carrier ships entering New Zealand waters.

They also include restricting stocking density on vessels to 90% of current limits. — RNZ