Dozens protest against live cattle exports by sea
Dozens of protesters gathered in central Christchurch on Saturday to call for an immediate ban on live export of cattle by sea.
The Christchurch protest, held at the Bridge of Remembrance, was part of a national day of action prompted by the Government’s announcement last month that live export of cattle by sea would be phased out over the next two years.
SAFE for Animals spokeswoman Catie Plowman said about 50 people had gath- ered for the protest by 2.30pm, with more expected to arrive over the afternoon.
She said they wanted an immediate ban of live cattle export by sea because it was a cruel practice, rather than the two-year phase out announced by the Government.
‘‘The trip can take weeks and months, and sometimes they die at sea,’’ she said.
‘‘They are leaving our land and our standards of animal welfare. They live in awful conditions when they are overseas.’’
She said the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 boat, which capsized in the South China Sea on September 2, showed the cruelty of the practice. Only two crew members survived, the other 41 crew members died and 5867 head of cattle drowned in the sinking.
Plowman said they wanted an immediate ban on the practice. ‘‘We are delighted with the upcoming ban on live export, but we feel that two years is too long.
‘‘That will affect tens of thousands of animals. We pride ourselves on New Zealand’s clean, green image.’’
She also said the Government should consider banning the live export of other animals like poultry and sea food.
When he announced the ban last month, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the trade accounted for 0.2 per cent of New Zealand’s primary sector exports revenue from 2015. The trade was worth $77m in 2019. Live export of sheep by sea was banned in 2003 and export of livestock for slaughter stopped in 2008.
An average of 60,000 cattle have been exported from New Zealand every year since 2015. About 113,000 cattle were exported last year. There were also protests in Auckland, Wellington, Whanga¯ rei, Nelson, Dunedin and Timaru.