Rodeos not riding into sunset
It’s a win for the cowboys with the Government refusing to ban rodeos.
But Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri has issued a warning that welfare measures must be adhered to, adding that ways to improve animal welfare would be explored.
The announcement is a firm line in the sand after a number of calls from animal welfare group Safe to ban the sport.
It also comes after a number of major businesses, including Foodstuffs, Saddlery Warehouse, Stuff, Meridian Energy, House of Travel, Bayleys and Harcourts, withdrew sponsorship after animal cruelty claims by advocacy groups.
‘‘Apart from the fact they’re well attended and they’re the hub of small communities around New Zealand, there is already some banning of actions under the current Animal Welfare Act, so this is around making it really clear to rodeos that I expect them to adhere to it,’’ Whaitiri said. ‘‘The use of electric prods, for example, tail twisting . . . are all banned or currently addressed under the regulations for animal welfare that are due to come up for signing by Cabinet this year.
‘‘But the areas they don’t address, then I am making sure that I am addressing it through my officials and through the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.’’
On the advice of that committee, a code for rodeos was issued in 2014. Whaitiri said she had heard the concerns of animal rights activists and the Government would be addressing welfare concerns through regulations rather than an outright ban.
‘‘In the meantime, the Ministry for Primary Industries continues to enforce current animal welfare requirements, and investigates any complaints into rodeos.’’
It was a decision Opposition spokesman Nathan Guy supported.