$6m live cattle shipment from Timaru under fire

A ‘‘state of the art’’ livestock carrier is due to load 3700 live cattle for China from Timaru’s port.

PrimePort chief executive Phil Melhopt confirmed the loading of the Gloucester Express livestock carrier, due in port today.

According to a spokesman from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the shipment will be a mix of dairy heifers and pure-bred angus breeding cattle.

Tom Slaughter from Austrex, the Australia-based firm in charge of arranging the shipment, said the cattle, shipped to Timaru from around New Zealand, would have a value of ‘‘about $6 million’’.

‘‘Prior to export, we prepare the livestock for about 35 days. Additionally, they will be transported on a state of the art new build livestock vessel that is just three years old.

‘‘Once the cattle are on board, they have highly palatable livestock feed and water, and we have two stockmen engaged in looking after every need of the livestock and ensuring optimum health and welfare of the animals.

‘‘We have a very strong record, with a zero mortality rate in our last two shipments,’’ Slaughter said.

‘‘Ultimately, it’s critical that our business delivers the best quality product to our customer base.’’

This will be the largest live cattle shipment to leave the port since July 2017 when the Ocean Drover carried 6600 dairy cows to Fonterra farms in China.

The Gloucester Express’s arrival has also grabbed the attention of animal welfare group Save Animals From Exploitation (Safe), which is calling for the banning of all live exports on ships.

Campaign manager Marianne Macdonald said it was concerning one of these ships was coming into Timaru, and she said the lack of detail provided by the port’s website was worrying.

‘‘There is a lot of secrecy. There is huge public concern about live exports,’’ Macdonald claimed.

Last year, New Zealand exported about 27,000 live cattle in 10 shipments, mainly to China, but also Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam.

According to Safe, so far this year, not including this Gloucester Express shipment, 11,000 cattle and 700-900 goats have been shipped to China.

‘‘We want an end to all live exports of farm animals from New Zealand. The public is really appalled this is going on. The Government has got to close the loophole.’’

Macdonald said Safe would keep the pressure on the Government.

‘‘This trade is carrying on, and every time there is a shipment, animals are being put at risk.

‘‘Most of us have been in a situation where they have been seasick on a ship. To imagine what these animals are going through on the lower decks is horrible. It is an appalling thing.

‘‘There is evidence that ruminant animals such as sheep or cows can suffer seasickness just like us, but they can’t do anything about it.’’

A spokesman for MPI said exporters were required to meet stringent animal welfare standards.

‘‘Our requirements are designed to prioritise the animal’s health and welfare during their journey and ensure they are handled in accordance with New Zealand’s strict animal welfare standards,’’ he said.

The Gloucester Express is set to depart Timaru on Wednesday.