Animal welfare and international trade strategy
Animal welfare continues to receive increasing attention from a broad spectrum of interests and is an important trade policy issue for New Zealand.
The first Animal Welfare and International Trade Strategy was brought together in 2002 when Hon Jim Sutton was the minister in both portfolio areas. The strategy recognised the need for the different strands of government to be speaking with one voice in the various fora.
In 2005, it was decided that the strategy should be reviewed, given international developments, and in order to obtain greater input from industry groups. Stakeholder consultation on the revised draft strategy was undertaken in late 2006.
New Zealand's strategic approach to animal welfare and trade centres around the following goals:
- contributing to 'market success'
- facilitating rules-based trade
- engaging with stakeholders.
Proposed actions for officials under each goal reaffirm the work that is currently undertaken in the international animal welfare area.
Market success a focus
A key focus of the current government policy on the relationship between animal welfare and trade is 'market success': ensuring the domestic regulatory framework is robust so that producers and exporters can use it to contribute to optimum product positioning and commercial return. The foundation for this success is promoting understanding and international recognition of New Zealand's animal welfare framework.
New Zealand's domestic animal welfare system is well regarded internationally. We have:
- conceptually sound and contemporary legislation
- internationally recognised standards of animal welfare
- a strong animal welfare research capability
- policies based on science and ethics
- good on-farm practices.
NZ opposes discrimination on welfare grounds
As a trading nation, heavily reliant on agricultural exports, New Zealand has a strong self-interest in both trade liberalisation and a rules-based trading environment. New Zealand has consistently opposed attempts by countries seeking to influence animal welfare conditions in other countries with which they trade. For example, we support the principle that products should not be discriminated against on the basis of processing and production methods. We also oppose proposals on animal welfare that might serve as a vehicle for additional or new measures designed to protect markets or subsidise producers.
New Zealand contributes to multilateral discussions on animal welfare issues and to the development of international guidelines for animal welfare that are least likely to be able to be used as technical barriers to trade. A key focus here is on the development of World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) guidelines on animal welfare, and national government initiatives on animal welfare.
New Zealand has a positive animal welfare reputation in government, academic and research and non-governmental organisation (NGO) circles. The maintenance of appropriate relationships with stakeholders will help inform policy development, ensure market success and assist in facilitating rules-based trade.
It is imperative that New Zealand maintains appropriate links and relationships with international organisations to ensure that the strength of the New Zealand policy approach to animal welfare is fully appreciated. The Government, the primary production sector and animal welfare organisations all have a part to play in building and reinforcing New Zealand's international animal welfare reputation.
The final draft strategy has recently been approved by the Ministers for Agriculture, Trade and Food Safety. It will be used by officials as a policy guide for animal welfare and international trade. Copies of the current strategy will be sent to stakeholders for their information.
- Sara Goff, International Policy, MAF, ph 04 894 0599, sara.goff@maf.govt.nz
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Page last updated: 30 April 2008