Protest backs early ban on live animal exports
A group protesting live animal exports will send a letter to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, calling for an immediate ban of the practice.
Last month, the Government announced it would be phasing out the practice over the next two years but the about 45 protesters who attended Saturday’s protest in Port Loop Rd said this was not soon enough.
Saturday’s protest was part of a national day of action prompted by the Government’s announcement, with 12 protests held throughout the country.
‘‘We just want the Government to speed the process up, two years is too long,’’ protester Julie Fogarty said.
‘‘The conditions on the ships are pretty dire.’’
The letter addressed to Ardern, which received several signatures on Saturday, praises the prime minister for making the ‘‘bold and admirable decision to ban live export by sea’’ but urges her to implement a ‘‘complete and immediate ban’’ of the practice, as ‘‘this would ensure New Zealand remains a world leader in animal welfare’’.
Protest co-organiser Toni DeRooy said she was pleased with the turnout and the fact it had managed to coordinate protests across other parts of the country, including Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.
‘‘We are delighted with the number of people who were here. We are pleased the Government announced the ban but we want them to implement it as soon as possible,’’ DeRooy said.
Late on Thursday, the Brahman Express docked in Timaru’s port and loaded about 3000 animals, departing from Timaru on Friday evening on its way to China.
Protester Karen McClintock said she wanted to know why the ship arrived and left Timaru ‘‘under the cover of darkness’’.
‘‘What have they got to hide,’’ McClintock asked.
Baxter Holmes, aged 13, said he attended the protest because he felt strongly about animal welfare.
He said the live export of animals was similar to ‘‘human trafficking’’ in its ignoring of the welfare of those animals.
Protester Kevin Nevin said the practice should not happen.
‘‘Leave animals alone. Would people like to be packed up in a ship for 14 days in their own urine and faeces? Of course they wouldn’t,’’ Nevin said.