News related to Guide for Lay Members of Animal Ethics Committees
- Bobby calf programme begins - 29 July 2010
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is planning proactive animal welfare work in the bobby calf area this season, starting Monday.
- New code sets out principles of sheep and beef cattle welfare - 25 June 2010
The Sheep and Beef Cattle Code of Welfare, issued today by the Minister of Agriculture, encourages all farmers to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling. Developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), the code applies to all sheep and beef cattle farmed for meat rather than being milked and covers all aspects of stock management.
- NAWAC Annual Report releases - 26 August 2008
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2007 Annual Report today.
- Zion Wildlife Gardens update - 3 February 2012
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) confirms today that Patricia Busch remains the approved operator of Zion Wildlife Gardens and management of the park will continue as normal.
- Stock shelter vital says MAF and Federated Farmers - 19 August 2011
Federated Farmers is to actively reinforce with all farmers, the vital protection shelterbelts offer to livestock.
- NAWAC Annual Report Released - 16 May 2011
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2010 Annual Report today.
- Disqualification Order Enforced by MAF - 24 September 2010
A Coromandel farm owner and property developer, and his farm worker, have been convicted of deliberately breaching a Court imposed Disqualification Order under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
- 2009 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report Released - 17 September 2010
Notification of the numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching was released today in the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report.
- NAWAC Annual Report Released - 4 June 2010
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2009 Annual Report today.
- Historic sentence for cruel poultry farmer - 25 May 2010
Running a poultry farm in a way that caused suffering and distress to animals in his care has landed an Auckland poultry farmer in prison and cost him the right to own broiler hens for 10 years.
- Livestock Manager charged with ill-treatment of sheep - 21 April 2010
Stock agent and trader Neville Clark was today sentenced in the Gisborne District Court for ill-treating sheep in his ownership and care. He was fined $11,000, and ordered to pay $9,700 in costs.
- Feedback sought on draft code of welfare for pigs - 3 March 2010
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has completed a review of the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2005 and a draft code has been released today for public consultation.
- New code sets out principles of dairy cattle welfare - 19 February 2010
The Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare, issued today by the Minister of Agriculture, encourages all farmers to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling. It sets out general principles of care and will be enhanced by industry good practice guidelines.
- Experienced farmer convicted on multiple cases of ill-treatment to animals - 12 January 2010
Rotorua farmer Mark Spitz was yesterday convicted in the Rotorua District Court on multiple counts of ill-treatment to farm animals in his care. Mr Spitz was sentenced to 250 hours community service and ordered to pay $9340 in reparations.
- NAWAC Review of the Pigs Code of Welfare - 16 December 2009
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) announced today that the review of the Animal Welfare (Pigs) Code of Welfare 2005 has been delayed and will not be completed until early next year.
- Glueboard traps to be prohibited - 4 December 2009
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has announced new regulations affecting the sale and use of rodent glueboard traps.
- Institute wins award for research that improves welfare of sheep used in animal testing - 20 November 2009
A senior researcher at the University of Auckland's Liggins Institute has been selected as the recipient of the 2009 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Three Rs award.
- Feedback sought on draft code of welfare for animal transport in New Zealand - 16 October 2009
Minimum standards of animal welfare and recommended best practices for everyone involved in animal transport in New Zealand are outlined in a draft code of welfare released for consultation by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) today.
- MAF inspections of Crafar farms complete - 9 October 2009
Inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of all 22 Crafar-owned properties have concluded, MAF Director-General Murray Sherwin announced today.
- Farmer charged with ill-treatment of sheep & cattle - 4 September 2009
A North Canterbury farmer was today fined $17,500 and ordered to pay court and investigation costs totalling $60,130 for allowing his stock to suffer from starvation. John Dalmer (74) pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
- 2008 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report Released - 30 July 2009
Notification of the numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching was released today in the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Annual Report.
- Farmer charged with wilful ill-treatment of cattle - 27 July 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Enforcement Group welcome the conviction handed out in the Invercargill District Court on Friday to an Invercargill farmer charged with offences under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
- NAWAC Annual Report Released - 23 July 2009
The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) issued its 2008 Annual Report today.
- MAF investigation of piggery concludes - 2 July 2009
An investigation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) into the operations of a Levin piggery has concluded, with MAF determining no breaches of the current Code of Welfare for Pigs, issued pursuant to section 75 of the Animal Welfare Act.
- Government agencies approve reopening of Zion Wildlife Gardens - 19 June 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the Department of Labour have today given Whangarei’s Zion Wildlife Gardens approval to reopen to the public.
- Stock driver’s angry outburst ends in Court. - 11 June 2009
A Waipukarau truck driver pleaded guilty and was sentenced in the Hastings District Court today for the ill treatment of a lamb in his care. He was fined $800 and ordered to pay court costs of $130.
- MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and Department of Labour Statement – Zion Wildlife Gardens - 29 May 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has today enacted powers under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and temporarily closed the Zion Wildlife Gardens near Whangarei to the public in the wake of this week's death of a keeper at the park.
- Expanded international collaborating centre focusing on animal welfare - 29 May 2009
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) congratulates the Massey University Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, the AgResearch Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research Centre and their Australian partners on being recognised as an expanded World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Collaborating Centre.
- Investigation of pig farm - 20 May 2009
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Animal Welfare Inspectors today visited the pig farm at the centre of TVNZ's "Sunday" programme. They were accompanied by an independent veterinarian and pig expert.
- Farmer charged with wilful ill-treatment of deer - 6 May 2009
Yesterday a Central Hawkes Bay farmer was sentenced in the Hastings District Court for failing to maintain the welfare needs of his deer. He was fined $12,000, ordered to pay $9,181 in costs, and disqualified from owning or controlling production animals for a minimum period of 10 years. Permanent name suppression has been granted to the farmer.