Animal Matters

From the archives: Kōrero with Chlöe Swarbrick

SAFE — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1300

What's in a name: Is the term 'plant-based' a help or hindrance when it comes to the vegan activist movement?

SAFE — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 09:37:58 +1300

Shakespeare said "A rose by any other word would smell as sweet", but how much weight does a name really hold? Last month, the Vegan Society marked World Vegan Month by investigating consumer attitudes towards ‘plant-based’ and 'vegan' terminology, and why those attitudes were held. This week, Will Appelbe and Courtney White discuss their reckons on the matter, and what impacts using these terms might have for the vegan movement. They also discuss the news that 90% of Brits accept farmed animals really aren't all that different from companion animals, and yet another interesting development in the Greyhound Racing Industry saga.

Animal abuse, extensive injuries and methamphetamine: Is the end near for New Zealand’s greyhound racing industry?

SAFE — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:20:03 +1300

Is the bell finally tolling for greyhound racing in New Zealand? If conversations and media stories with Racing Minister Kieran McAnulty are to be believed, the industry’s days may very well be numbered. After yet another horror weekend on Auckland’s race tracks, a ban couldn’t come fast enough. This week, Will Appelbe and Courtney White get back behind the mics to chat what the future looks like for greyhound racing, with McAnulty confirming the industry could be shut down (pending the results of an upcoming Racing Integrity Board report, due in a matter of weeks). They also discuss the impact fireworks continue to have every November, and a worrying new development in New Zealand’s Salmon farming industry.

‘Kind’ cages, horses who love to race and other lies we tell ourselves

SAFE — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:06:53 +1300

The ‘end of the cage age’ has been a hot topic in New Zealand media over the past few days. Unfortunately, though the end of 2022 will bring with it a ban on battery cages, colony cages will remain legal. While they’re marketed as a ‘kinder’ option, what difference do these cages make to the lives of the hens kept locked inside them? Jessica Chambers, SAFE’s Head of Campaigns, joins Will Appelbe and Courtney White to talk through all the nuance missed in media stories and what the SAFE campaigns team is up to in order to free hens from cages once and for all. Not ones to miss a trick, Will and Courtney also pick Jess’s brain on the Melbourne Cup, as well as the exciting campaign to call for a Commissioner for Animals – a call quickly gaining traction across the country.

A deep dive into human-animal studies with Annie Potts

SAFE — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +1300

Why do we consider some animals as pests and others as pets? Why do some vegans choose not to date meat eaters? What’s the connection between animal oppression and certain types of human oppression? This week, Will Appelbe and Courtney White are joined by Annie Potts from the New Zealand Centre of Human-Animal studies, to discuss these tricky topics and the relationship between humans and animals.

Greyhound racing cleaning up its act? Yeah right.

SAFE — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +1200

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has dominated the news cycle of late, so it's time to catch up with the latest (and not so great) animal yarns. Will fills Courtney in with the latest revelations from the greyhound racing industry and live export trade. The Jane Goodall Institute has made a strong statement in regards to pest control, and the Aussies and Kiwis might be keen on more plant-based food at their favourite eateries.

Do you know who to call? Whistleblowers, witnesses and wading through mud

SAFE — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +1200

After a brief hiatus, Will Appelbe and Courtney White are back behind the mic's! This week they unveil 0800 EXPOSE, SAFE's newest programme aiming to assist those who have witnessed animal cruelty to report it, safely. They also discuss the call for McDonald's to address their stake in intensive winter grazing, also known as 'mud farming', and add a much-needed bright spot to your day with some welcome news for kittens.

'No way to treat a mother' - lifting the lid on the dairy industry's dirty little secret

SAFE — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +1200

Will Appelbe and Courtney White are joined by SAFE Campaigns Officer, Emma Brodie, to discuss a little-known practice taking place behind slaughterhouse doors across the country. They also discuss concerns about the response from MPI into sheep welfare on a farm in Christchurch, green-washing in bottom-trawling, the absent referent in discussions about live export and trade, and PETA’s request to rename a roundabout in the UK – vegan pie, anyone?

Rodeo cowboys miss the point of a recent High Court decision

SAFE — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +1200

Will Appelbe is joined by new co-host Courtney White, to discuss live export, the recent High Court decision on rodeo, and the SPCA's call to ban the long term chaining of dogs.

Cowboys in Court

SAFE — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 08:09:44 +1200

Last week, the New Zealand Animal Law Association and SAFE challenged the legality of rodeo at the High Court. This is the second time the two organisations have taken the Government to court, and the results of that first court case has caused headaches for the pork industry in recent weeks. And a new Oat Milk chocolate causes controversy when it’s revealed it actually contains zero oat milk. Who would have thought that false advertising may make people grumpy.

Kōrero with Lynn Charlton, Anti Rodeo Action

SAFE — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 08:00:00 +1200

This week we talk with Lynn Charlton, spokesperson for Anti Rodeo Action. Next month the New Zealand Animal Law Association and SAFE will be challenging the legality of rodeo at the Wellington High Court. In the lead up to the court date, we wanted to speak with one of the many grass roots activists who have been instrumental in exposing what happens at rodeo events in Aotearoa. Anti Rodeo Action has been filming at rodeo events for many years, and their footage has been invaluable in exposing rodeo cruelty.

The forgotten victims of factory farming

SAFE — Tue, 31 May 2022 06:00:00 +1200

Fishes are the forgotten victims of factory farming. This week we chat with SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo about the salmon farming industry, and how these animals are so neglected. Greyhound racing is back on the agenda, and the Government recently released its first Emissions Reduction Plan. While the plan has some favourable initiatives to address emissions from transport, agriculture largely gets a free pass.

Political shenanigans over the bill to ban live export

SAFE — Thu, 12 May 2022 06:00:00 +1200

Greyhound racing is facing a new scandal, following revelations made by Newshub that indicate potential neglect and mistreatment at a kennel belonging to one of the industry’s most prolific trainers.

The ban on live export faced a small bump in the road recently, but it looks like it will still become law in due course.

And the Government is proposing a ban on farrowing crates, following a successful court case back in 2020, bought by the New Zealand Animal Law Association and SAFE.

Make a submission on the new code of welfare for pigs and demand a ban on farrowing crates.

References

Racing regulator inquires into condition of dogs owned by John McInerney, NZ's most prolific greyhound trainer - Newshub, 4 May 2022
Racing regulator issued up to 300 warnings to greyhound trainers over health and welfare failures in under a year - Newshub, 5 May 2022
Ban on live exports deadlocked at select committee, but likely to pass - NZ Herald, 19 April 2022
Morning Rural News for 2 May 2022 - RNZ
NZ Pork: draft welfare code could be lethal for piglets, industry - NBR, 1 May 2022

Kōrero with Abigail Penny, Animal Equality UK Executive Director

SAFE — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +1200

On this week's episode of Animal Matters, we chat with Abigail Penny, the UK Executive Director at Animal Equality.

Animal Equality is an international animal protection organisation, and they’re most well known for their undercover investigations. Those investigations recently fed into a BBC Panorama documentary that aired in February, which exposed the UK’s dairy industry. The documentary sparked considerable debate in the UK thanks in large part to the damning undercover footage, gathered by Animal Equality. Not only did it expose examples of cruel and illegal behaviour, but it also showcased the inherently cruel farming practices that are considered normal, industry-standard behaviour.

BBC Panorama documentary - "A Cow's Life: The True Cost of Milk?"
A short edit of Animal Equality's undercover footage used in the documentary can be found on their website.

NZ officials at IPCC summit, shockingly, missed the point

SAFE — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +1200

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released its latest report, and it’s not great. We have a lot to do. But New Zealand officials successfully lobbied against the use of plant-based terminology, which begs the question, did our officials miss the point?

And greyhound racing is working harder than ever to improve their public appearance, to such an extent that they’re excluding New Zealand’s leading animal welfare agency from their animal welfare committee.

Climate change: IPCC scientists say it's 'now or never' to limit warming - RNZ, 5 April 2022
Climate change: IPCC scientist warns world 'pretty much out of time' to limit warming - RNZ, 5 April 2022
IPCC report: Climate campaigner urges voters to push government and companies to act - RNZ, 6 April 2022
Groundswell refuses to meet prime minister alongside other groups, as ructions surface inside agriculture faction - Stuff, 30 March 2022
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives up on Groundswell talks after they refuse to meet with other groups present - Newshub, 1 April 2022
NZ scrubbed ‘plant-based’ diets from climate report - Newsroom, 9 April 2022
Greyhound industry criticised after dog euthanised - Stuff, 22 March 2022
SPCA gone from greyhound racing welfare committee as deaths in industry continue - Stuff, 25 March 2022

Live pig delivery market exposed

SAFE — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +1300

Live pigs delivered to your door. That’s what some businesses are offering in the Auckland and Waikato regions. The advice these businesses are giving to kill these pigs is illegal though, and bears an airy resemblance to a British TV ad that many considered was ‘vegan propaganda’.

And the equestrian industry has been caught up in more PR disasters, and one such situation involved one of Aotearoa’s most famous horse riders.

Ministry for Primary Industries investigating multiple live pig selling businesses over animal cruelty claims - Newshub, 5 March 2020.
'Showing a pig with a meat cleaver is disgusting': Backlash at 'controversial' vegan TV advert in which couple receive a live pig and the weapon to kill it as a takeaway order - Daily Mail, 21 February 2022.
Farmers slam UK's new trade deal with New Zealand - Daily Mail, 1 March 2022.
New Zealand trade deal critical to set welfare red line - RSPCA, 3 September 2021.
Equestrian Sports NZ expresses disappointment at social media video of Sir Mark Todd's horse abuse - Newshub, 13 February 2022.
MPI among those investigating horse rider’s actions - Otago Daily Times, 1 March 2022.
Chinese SOE pushes NZ for U-turn on live export ban - Newsroom, 11 February 2022.
Chinese companies lobby New Zealand to continue with live cattle exports - Stuff, 16 February 2022.

Kōrero with Christine Dorchak, GREY2K USA Worldwide

SAFE — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +1300

Christine Dorchak is the President and General Counsel at GREY2K USA Worldwide, a non-profit committed to protecting greyhounds and working to end the cruelty of dog racing.

Kōrero with Daisy Lab's Irina Miller

SAFE — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +1300

Today on the show I’m chatting with Irina Miller, Daisy Lab’s co-founder and CEO. We’ve talked about Daisy Lab before in episode 53. They’re a food technology start up based right here in Aotearoa, that seeks to use precision fermentation to make dairy products, like cheese, without the use of animals.

2022 a bleak start for horses in the racing industry

SAFE — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +1300

Horse racing has managed to avoid much of the scrutiny that greyhound racing faced in 2021, but a string of recent incidents show that the horse racing industry isn’t without its faults either.

And a last minute shipment from Timaru rounded out a bumper year for the live export industry, which is showing few signs of slowing down despite a ban on the horizon.

Who won New Zealand sport in 2021? - New Zealand Herald, 30 December 2021
Impressive Hastings-trained winner's racing career cut short - New Zealand Herald, 20 January 2022
Champion jockey Danielle Johnson suffers broken leg, top horse Gold Watch put down after horror fall - Stuff, 1 January 2022
German horse trainer won't be prosecuted for punching horse at Tokyo Olympics - Newshub, 13 January 2022
Livestock vessel set to load more than 10,000 cattle bound for China in Timaru - Stuff, 29 December 2021

Almost 200,000 chickens killed - we now have answers, but no accountability

SAFE — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Two years on from a power outage that lead to the deaths of almost 200,000 chickens, and we finally have some answers. But despite answers, we still have no accountability. And the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill that will prohibit live exports by sea is moving through a Parliamentary Select Committee. And there are signs that the live export industry will fight tooth over nail before the Bill becomes law.

Precision fermentation set to turn NZ’s dairy industry upside down

SAFE — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +1300

A new Kiwi startup is raising funds to employ more researches on their quest to bring new dairy products to the market, but without milking a single cow. And COVID-19 is wrecking havoc on the events industry, but there’s a silver lining. It’s wrecking havoc on animal abusing rodeo events as well.

Guy Fawkes and horse racing, more of a fizzle than a bang

SAFE — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Guy Fawkes has come and gone, but you’d be forgiven for missing it. The exit of The Warehouse from the fireworks market and supply chain issues has meant smaller retailers have struggled to meet demand. And the most recent New Zealand Trotting Cup in Christchurch was errily quiet due to COVID-19 restrictions. But the impacts of the coronavirus on the wider racing industry is little relief for animals.

Kōrero with Chris Huriwai and Amy Taylor

SAFE — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +1300

This feature documentary exposes the whitewash of Aotearoa’s multi-billion-dollar dairy industry. Amy and Chris co-produced the film, and it follows Chris as he travels around the country exploring the truth about how the dairy industry has become the nation’s biggest threat. Milked premiers in Aotearoa this weakened at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Kōrero with Lynn Tan, Animal Advocacy Africa

SAFE — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Animal Advocacy Africa is a capacity-building program that supports organisations and advocates to develop and grow the animal advocacy movement in Africa.

According to Animal Advocacy Africa, the continent is currently home to approximately 3.2 billion farmed animals, and given its rising population and urbanisation, a shift toward intensive animal farming practices looks inevitable.

The African Landscape Research Report by Lynn Tan is published on Animal Advocacy Africa's website in full.

An open letter to the Agriculture Minister

SAFE — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +1300

This week, SAFE published and open letter to the Agriculture Minister, signed by oer 250 veterinary professionals, who all want a ban on colony cages. And last week, SAFE launched a new campaign called ‘fishes belong in the sea’. This is a new area for SAFE, so we’ll dive into what this campaign is all about.

The salmonella outbreak and greyhound racetrack woes

SAFE — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +1300

The Greyhound racing industry has had a double blow in the last few weeks. One of it’s race tracks is facing closure, and another potential new track has failed to even get off the ground. And Aotearoa has been silently battling an outbreak of salmonella in the chicken meat and egg industry. Now the industry is facing tighter rules in an attempt to stamp out the disease.

Kōrero with Kelly Phelps, Free As A Bird Rescue

SAFE — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Kelly started Free as a Bird in 2013, and since then the non profit organisation has rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed tens of thousands of hens, many of them rescued from battery and colony cages.

Greyhound racing still struggling with doping and injuries

SAFE — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Last week we bought you the interview with a former Northern Eggs employee, who spoke out about the appalling treatment of hens at the colony cage farm. Today we’ll bring you the latest on that story. And the greyhound racing industry is still grappling with doping and dog injuries, and now they want to build a new track at Christchurch’s beloved QEII Park.

Northern Eggs colony cage cruelty

SAFE — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +1200

On this week's episode of Animal Matters, Will Appelbe speaks with a whistleblower who used to work at Northern Eggs, a colony cage farm near Whangarei. This brave informant put themselves at great personal risk to expose the cruelty that's currently occurring at the colony cage farm. This episode of Animal Matters contains graphic content that may be distressing.

The beginning of the end for greyhound racing?

SAFE — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Last week, in his capacity as Minister for Racing, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson gave the greyhound racing industry an ultimatimum upon the release of the greyhound racing review. It was a scathing review, and today we’ll take a look at its findings and what it means for the future of greyhound racing.

Minister for Racing Grant Robertson’s interview sourced from Radio New Zealand.
Review into Greyhound Racing in New Zealand, Hon Sir Bruce Robertson, 30 July 2021.
Report to New Zealand Racing Board on welfare issues affecting greyhound racing in New Zealand, Hon Rodney Hansen CNZM QC.

Kōrero wth Luiza Schneider, VP of Investigations, Mercy for Animals

SAFE — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +1200

This week on Animal Matters, Will Appelbe chats with Luiza Schneider, Vice President of Investigations at Mercy for Animals. Schneider is a former investigator, and now works with their brave investigations team to expose cruelty on factory farms.

The latest animal news from lockdown

SAFE — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +1200

This week on Animal Matters, Will Appelbe recaps the latest from the greyhound racing industry, as well as an animal sanctuary's desperate mission to rescue animals in Afghanistan. Also, what to do if your companion animal breaches their bubble.

They belong on the couch, not the racetrack

SAFE — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +1200

It’s a quick episode today. We’ll discuss the most recent debate concerning the live export ban, as well as MPI’s most recent disappointing decision not to prosecute a farm that saw hundreds of thousands of chickens to suffocate in it’s sheds.

Kōrero with Emma Hurst, Member of Parliament for the Animal Justice Party, NSW Australia

SAFE — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Today on the show Will Appelbe chats with Emma Hurst, Member of Parliament for the Animal Justice Party in New South Wales, Australia. The Animal Justice Party is Australia's sole political party dedicated to animal rights, and Emma Hurst is one of two Animal Justice candidates in the New South Wales Legislative Council.

Justice for all animals in rodeo

SAFE — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Last week, the New Zealand Animal Law Association and SAFE filed legal proceedings against the Government for their failure to end rodeo events. We’ll cover the recent history that’s led to this landmark moment, and why these two groups are seeking a decision from the courts.

Kōrero with Chlöe Swarbrick

SAFE — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +1200

In this week's episode, Will Appelbe sits down with Green Party MP and animal welfare spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick, to discuss greyhound racing, live export and the occupation at Pūtiki Bay.

"The writing's on the wall" for cage eggs

SAFE — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Sign the Free Hens From Cages petition.

The Melbourne Cup of greyhound racing

SAFE — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Today we recap the last two weeks, including the 50th anniversary of the Silver Collar greyhound race which saw a dog break his leg, and delays to the Government's announcement of the phase out date for livestock exports by sea.

Kōrero with Shanti Ahluwalia from NZAVS

SAFE — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:59:01 +1200

This week on Animal Matters, Will Appelbe sits down with Shanti Ahluwalia from the New Zealand Anti-Vivisection Society (NZAVS) to talk about Aotearoa's relationship with animal testing.

A wild goose chase

SAFE — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +1200

The Waikato District Council are taking drastic measures to manage a large population of geese. Without investigating better options, they announced they would use poison, but have since had to make a U turn after realising it wouldn’t work. And Angela Turnwald, the greyhound trainer who’s dog tested positive for methamphetamine, is back before the kangaroo court, defending an appeal to have her disqualification extended.

Kōrero with Philip McKibbin, on the Politics of Love

SAFE — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Philip McKibbin's writing has been published in The Spinoff, The Guardian, Stuff, NZ Herald among many other publications. In 2018 he co-organised ‘The Politics of Love: A Conference’ at All Souls College at the University of Oxford.

The Politics of Love is a radical vision of politics, a vision that can make a difference to the lives of animals.

Here are the links for the Politics of Love:

The Politics of Love website: https://thepoliticsoflove.com/
Philip McKibbin's Website: http://www.philip-mckibbin.com/

Facebook (Philip McKibbin): philipmckibbinanz
Facebook (Politics of Love): thepoliticsoflove
Twitter (Philip McKibbin): philip_mckibbin
Twitter (Politics of Love): tematapunaaroha
Instagram (Politics of Love): thepoliticsoflove

Budget 2021 - A missed opportunity for animals

SAFE — Tue, 25 May 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Last week, the Government released it’s annual budget, setting out what initiatives would be allocated new spending. Despite the deficits in animal welfare in New Zealand, not a single dollar was allocated for animal welfare spending.

Kōrero with Aysha Akhtar, President and CEO of the Center for Contemporary Sciences

SAFE — Tue, 18 May 2021 09:52:09 +1200

Today on the show we sit down with Aysha Akhtar, who is the President and CEO of the US based Center for Contemporary Sciences. Aysha has had an illustrious career in public health and is now putting her expertise towards ending animal testing and advocating for a transition to human-specific medical research.

The racing industry's kangaroo court

SAFE — Tue, 11 May 2021 06:00:00 +1200

The racing industry has been rocked by doping scandals in recent weeks. Unfortunately, these people are escaping criminal charges. This week we dive into how the racing industry police’s itself.

Kōrero with Kari Schmidt, co-author of the NZALA's latest report: Farmed Animal Welfare Law in New Zealand.

SAFE — Wed, 05 May 2021 06:00:00 +1200

The report, Farmed Animal Welfare Law in New Zealand, was commissioned by the New Zealand Animal Law Association (NZALA), with support from the New Zealand Law Foundation and Lush.

Some background to the report, in 2019 SAFE and the NZALA, filed Judicial Review Proceedings against the Government for their failure to act on the on-going use of farrowing crates.

In a judgement released last year, the High Court ruled that the Minister of Agriculture and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) acted illegally when they failed to phase out the use of farrowing crates for mother pigs. The traditional use of farrowing crates will now be phased out.

While preparing for that case, the NZALA found many inconsistencies between the Animal Welfare Act and subordinate legislation, like the Code of Welfare for pigs which allowed the use of farrowing crates. That prompted them to commission this report.

April was for animals

SAFE — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +1200

April has been a massive month for animals, both the good and the bad. It’s been a while since our last podcast, thanks in part to some of the announcements that have come out of the beehive this month. This includes a ban on the export of live animals by sea, and a review of the greyhound racing industry.

Antibiotic resistance - Kōrero with Dr. Heather Hendrickson

SAFE — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +1200

Dr. Heather Hendrickson is a Senior Lecturer in Molecular Bioscience at Massey University, and the Vice Preseident of the New Zealand Micro Biological Society. In short, Dr. Hendrickson is an expert in micro biology, like bacteria, and how we treat that bacteria with antibiotics. You’ve probably heard the phrase 'antibiotic resistance' at least once, but perhaps don’t quite know what it means. Antibiotics are amazing, nothing short of a medical marvel, but their overuse and misuse is putting their effectiveness at risk, to the point where we might one day lose them. Their overuse is widespread as well. It’s not only humans who are overusing antibiotics, but also animals. Specifically, farmed animals.

Winter grazing deferment a win for agriculture lobbyists

SAFE — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Winter Grazing
The Government has deferred imposing almost all of its proposed winter grazing regulations for a year, a move that’s been met with scorn from environmentalists and animal advocates.

Winter grazing - a practice where livestock are strip-fed a crop, often in extremely muddy conditions - has come under increased scrutiny in recent years.

In 2019, winter grazing hit the headlines when environmentalist Angus Robson went public with his campaign to expose what had been happening on farms across the country. The photos and videos of cows standing and giving birth in muddy paddocks prompted Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to launch a winter grazing taskforce.

The Agriculture Minister and David Parker, the Environment Minister, proposed a suite of new rules to improve winter grazing practices, which agriculture lobbyists decried as unworkable. They protested, and the Government’s latest announcement indicates that the lobbyists have won.

Parker and O’Connor announced recently that they would allow the industry to self regulate for the next year, allowing Farmers to develop their own so-called ‘modules’ to manage their winter grazing practices.

In a statement, Parker said the deferment will allow an intensive winter grazing farm plan module to be developed, tested and deployed ready for formal incorporation into wider certified freshwater farm plans in 2022.

Not everyone is happy about this. In fact, many people are deeply unhappy about this. Greenpeace Senior Campaigner Steve Abel said the Government had been ‘owned’ by big dairy, calling the decision ‘pathetic’.

SAFE CEO Debra Ashton questioned what the Government would do to ensure the welfare of animals in the interim.

Green MP Eugenie Sage said it’s a bad outcome for rivers and animal welfare.

Commercial fishing
Conservationists are calling for mandatory measures to protect the overfishing of Tarakihi. This was after the fishing industry admitted to breaking its promise to follow voluntary restrictions.

Forest and Bird said last week that Tarakihi have been fished down to 15 per cent of their original levels, well below the 40 per cent minimum level considered safe from overfishing.

In 2019, Stuart Nash, the fisheries minister at the time, decided to take a phased approach to rebuild the tarakihi population, making an initial 20 per cent cut to commercial fishing quotas, but then pulled back for a 10 per cent reduction instead.

But Stuff has now reported, in a briefing to Fisheries Minister David Parker, Fisheries Inshore chairman Laws Lawson admitted fishing boats were failing to keep out of areas they promised not to fish, putting juvenile Tarakihi at risk.

A report, titled The future of commercial fishing in Aotearoa New Zealand, was prepared by the Prime Minister's chief science advisor Professor Dame Juliet Gerrard. It suggested more needs to be done to reduce gaps in data and knowledge, noting that while we have a lot of data about the ocean, in many ways we also know frighteningly little.

Dr Michael Plank, a professor at the University of Canterbury who was on the panel responsible for preparing the report, said the findings stressed the importance of taking a holistic view of the ocean. He said one of the things the report identifies is the need to move towards managing ecosystems as a whole, rather than managing individual species.

Salmon farming

Footage of Compassion in World Farming’s undercover investigation and an accompanying report released on Wednesday uncovered the grim reality for many fish raised in Scotland’s salmon farming industry. Their findings were released by a global network of 40 NGOs in over 30 countries, including SAFE in New Zealand.

Scotland is the third-largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon worldwide and exports fish to over 50 countries. The industry produced about 38 million fish in 2019 and the Scottish Government is planning to allow massive industry expansion by 2030.

Over 22 Scottish farms were investigated between September and November 2020 using drone technology and underwater divers. On several farms, investigators found severe sea lice infestations and high levels of mortalities. As many as a quarter of the fish die before they make it to slaughter.

The investigators also found fish crammed in barren underwater cages. Salmon are natural migrators, but in fish farming systems they have nothing to do but swim aimlessly in cramped conditions for up to two years. Compassion in World Farming is now calling for a moratorium on the expansion of Scottish salmon farming, with a view to phasing out intensive salmon farming.

New Zealand farms king salmon, not Atlantic salmon, but the investigation raises questions about how salmon are farmed in New Zealand. Broadly speaking, we farm salmon in very similar ways, and now that we know what’s happening in Scotland, there are justifiable concerns for salmon farmed in New Zealand.

Kōrero with Geoff Regier, former undercover investigator for Mercy for Animals

SAFE — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Geoff's work uncovered some of the worst examples of animal abuse in Canada’s dairy industry, and lead to prison sentences for the workers and fines for their employers. Some observers at the time described the footage as the most severe cases of animal abuse they’d ever seen.

I was interested in talking to Geoff to hear his story about what he had to go through to conduct his investigations. He’s gained some interesting insight into what it’s like for workers in these industries and shared with me his thoughts on the fallout that resulted from those investigations.

A Cabinet full of decisions

SAFE — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Live Export Review
Nearly two years ago, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced a review of the live export trade[4]. This was in 2019, following reports from Sri Lanka that thousands of New Zealand and Australian cows were suffering[5].

The review only covered the export of cattle, sheep, goats and deer. The review considered four options; a total ban, a conditional ban, new regulations to enhance the export system, continuous improvement (non regulatory)[6].

Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor said the Ministry for Primary Industries has delivered their advice from the live export review, and a document is with Cabinet ministers[3]. It’s expected a final decision will be made by Cabinet on the future of the live export over the next month of two.

Live export revenue compared with agriculture export revenue
Last year over 100,000 breeding cattle were shipped to China, to the value of $255 million[1]. As a proportion of the $47 billion that agriculture exports is expended to bring in for the year ending June 2021[2]. Live export makes up about 0.5% of New Zealand's total agriculture export revenue.

Live export lobbying
A spokesperson from South Australasian Livestock Services (SAILS) said "Customers in China paid a great deal of money for the livestock and had a vested interest in looking after them"[1]. Dr. John Hellstrom, former Chief Veterinary Office for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Now MPI) and former chair the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee said the animals ended up in poorer conditions than they would have experienced had they remained in New Zealand[3].

Animal welfare laws in China
Animal sentience is not formally recognised in Chinese legislation. Animal cruelty is not explicitly defined in Chinese legislation. Therefore, there are currently no nationwide laws that prohibit the mistreatment of animals in China. There’s no legislation that prohibits slaughter without stunning[7].

Live export ships
The average age of the livestock fleet is 36 years, much older than the 20 year average for the global merchant shipping fleet. They’re also twice as likely to suffer a ‘total loss’ from sinking or grounding compared with standard cargo vessels[8].

Foie Gras
The UK is looking to ban imports of foie gras, which previously they wouldn’t have been able to do when they were part of the EU[9].

Contact the show: animalmatters@safe.org.nz

References

[1]M. Burry, "Live exports ban effects on farmers 'significant' - exporter", Radio New Zealand, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/438077/live-exports-ban-effects-on-farmers-significant-exporter. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[2]"Situation and outlook for primary industries", Ministry for Priamry Industries, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/resources-and-forms/economic-intelligence/situation-and-outlook-for-primary-industries/. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[3]M. Burry, "Live animal exports decision coming soon - Agriculture Minister", Radio New Zealand, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/437638/live-animal-exports-decision-coming-soon-agriculture-minister. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[4]A. Fox, "Live animal export review needs a close look at welfare in destinations: SAFE - NZ Herald", New Zealand Herald, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/live-animal-export-review-needs-a-close-look-at-welfare-in-destinations-safe/XGWFQI2NEENPLNWJOITQHPWFUA/. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[5]L. Knowles and S. Heanue, "'I have a cemetery, not a farm': Mass deaths of Australian cattle in Sri Lanka", ABC News, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-04/australian-dairy-cattle-sent-to-sri-lanka-dying-malnourished/10936258. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[6]Livestock Export Review, MPI Discussion Paper No: 2019/10. Ministry for Primary Industries, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/38036-2019-Livestock-review-discussion-paper-for-consultation

[7]"China | World Animal Protection", Animal Protection Index, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://api.worldanimalprotection.org/country/china. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[8]S. Kevany, "Exclusive: livestock ships twice as likely to be lost as cargo vessels", The Guardian, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/28/exclusive-livestock-ships-twice-as-likely-to-be-lost-as-cargo-vessels. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

[9]T. Whipple and C. Smyth, "Foie gras will be off the menu after British import ban", The Times, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/foie-gras-will-be-off-the-menu-after-british-import-ban-xfh7qn57p. [Accessed: 12- Mar- 2021].

Kōrero with Angel Food's Alice Shopland

SAFE — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Will Appelbe sits down with Alice Shopland, the founder of Aotearoa plant-based food company Angel Food. Alice launched Angel Food in 2006, and has since built a strong brand and a reputation as one of Aotearoa’s leading vegan cheese manufacturers. In 2014 they launched their dairy-free mozzarella, which was the first commercial vegan cheese to be made in Aoteroa.

Biscuit tins, and what they have to do with greyhounds

SAFE — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +1300

A change to Parliament’s standing orders could make it a lot easier for backbench MPs to get their Bills debated in the house. Will Appelbe discusses what this means and how it could benefit animals, specifically Greyhounds. A live export crisis in the Mediterranean reignites some concerns of the trade, and NZ Pork are continuing to fight for farrowing crates, both by lobbying and with their PR machine.

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

SAFE — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +1300

Will Appelbe recaps the latest current affairs. Soaring temperatures in Canterbury puts greyhounds at risk. New technology is being introduced in Germany's egg industry which would avoid the need to kill millions of day old. A rodeo cowboy is sentenced and fined for breaching animal welfare laws, in a ground breaking case, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

A conversation with Aaron Cross from the Greyhound Protection League

SAFE — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:28:33 +1300

Will Appelbe sits down with Aaron Cross from the Greyhound Protection League. Aaron has been a fierce advocate for greyhounds for over a decade, speaking truth to power and holding the racing industry accountable for its appalling treatment of dogs.

Greyhound summer death toll soars

SAFE — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 07:41:48 +1300

For the first episode of 2021, Will Appelbe recaps the most recent current affairs from the last four weeks.

Long boys and legnthy girls

SAFE — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +1300

Five dogs in five weeks. That’s how many greyhounds have been killed recently by the Greyhound racing industry. The industry is facing increased scrutiny, and the SPCA have stepped into the ring. And it’s been twelve months since a catastrophe took place on a Helensville chicken farm, which saw nearly 200,000 chickens suffocate to death. You’d think by now MPI would have completed their investigation. Spoiler, they haven’t.

Victory for mother pigs

SAFE — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +1300

Last Friday was Judgement day. No, nothing to do with John Connor and artificial intelligence. The Wellington High Court finally released its judgement on farrowing crates. We’ll discuss what the ruling is, and what comes next. And 4 live export ships have arrived in two weeks. Over 20,000 animals have been shipped, which begs the question, how much longer until the Government releases the live export review?

Post election limbo, and bobby calves with Lynley Tulloch

SAFE — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +1300

The Ministry for Primary Industries has released the Michael Heron QC report, which was commissioned as a result of the missing live export ship which capsized and sunk in the East China Sea. The recommendations don’t go far enough, which isn’t really all that surprising. And I'm joined by Lynley Tulloch, an academic and animal rights activist, to talk about the treatment of bobby calves in the dairy industry.

Election 2020 and dirty dairying with Mike Joy

SAFE — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +1300

New Zealand’s General Election is fast approaching this weekend on October 17. We do a quick recap of some of the policies, or lack thereof, that political parties have put out in the run up to the election. And freshwater ecologist Dr. Mike Joy sits down to chat about the disastrous effect New Zealand’s dairy industry has had on our environment.

Slow progress with fisheries and live export, and ditching dairy with Kylie Dale

SAFE — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +1300

The roll out of cameras on fishing vessels is finally seeing some progress, but a journalism student’s chance encounter with a fisherman in Lyttelton suggests those cameras can’t come soon enough. And the temporary ban on livestock exports is planned to become a conditional ban next month. With farmer sentiment at a low point, will the Government take the easy road out of the live export issue?

Live export crisis in the East China Sea

SAFE — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +1200

Crisis in the East China Sea, where a livestock vessel capsized carrying nearly 6,000 New Zealand cows bound to China. We’ll run through the series of events as we know them, and also hear the recording from our Virtual Protest to Ban Live Export.

Winter grazing debate hits boiling point while cows give birth in mud

SAFE — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +1200

The winter grazing debate has reached boiling point, and now it’s spilling over. Farmers are railing at the Government who are introducing new winter grazing rules under the proposed freshwater regulations. I’m joined by Environmental campaigner Geoff Reid and SAFE’s Marianne Macdonald to discuss.

The dairy industry's uncomfortable truth, and carnism with Melanie Joy

SAFE — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 07:00:00 +1200

Hundreds of thousands of calf corpses could be left uncollected on dairy farms across the country. Is it a crisis, or an uncomfortable truth that the industry is failing to address? We also chat with Melanie Joy, the founding president of the charitable organization Beyond Carnism. What is carnism, and what are it’s implications? We discuss this, and more.

Putting the chicken before the egg, and a conversation with Jake Conroy

SAFE — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 07:00:00 +1200

Colony cages are on the agenda. An egg supplier was recently sentenced to two years in prison for fraudulently selling cage eggs as free range. Egg labelling relies on the trust of suppliers, but given how cruel colony cages are, should they be allowed to continue? We also speak to Jake Conroy, one of the SHAC 7 who was imprisoned after campaigning against an infamous animal testing laboratory. His story is an important part of the history of our movement, so he shares with us his experience and what he learned from it.

Political Panel for Animals 2020 - It's Time!

SAFE — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:02:12 +1200

Last night in Wellington, SAFE hosted the Political Panel for Animals 2020. The Panelists included Green MP Gareth Hughes, New Zealand First MP Mark Patterson, National MP David Bennett and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, from the Labour Party. The panel was hosted by journalist Charlotte Graham-McLay. This was a great opportunity to question our politicians on some of the most important issues facing animals today. Gareth Hughes gave us a sneak peek at his party’s upcoming Animal Welfare announcement, saying that the Greens in Government would phase out factory farming. While not every politician agreed with such a measure, they all knew that the writing is on the wall for colony cages.

The dairy industry's failings, and rescuing animals with Shawn Bishop

SAFE — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +1200

A bad couple of weeks for the dairy industry. We cover some of the latest current affairs, including the light sentencing of animal abuser Mike Luke, as well as a Dairy Industry Award winner who was stripped of his title due to profane and disrespectful tweets. We also chat with Shawn Bishop from The Animal Sanctuary about the work that she does rescuing animals.

In memory of Regan Russell, featuring her friends, Toronto Pig Save, and Camille Labchuk

SAFE — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +1200

On today’s show, we remember Regan Russell. Regan was an animal rights activist with Toronto Pig Save, who was tragically killed recently when she was hit by a truck transport pigs. We’re joined by some of those who were closest to her, to share her story and the work that she did. We’re also joined by Camille Labchuk, one of Canada’s leading animal rights lawyers and Executive Director of Animal Justice. We talk about Ontario’s bill 156, which has been dubbed an ‘ag-gag’ law, and what this could mean for those advocating for animals.

Our attitudes towards animals considered pests, and going plant-based with SAFE’s Eat Kind team

SAFE — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +1200

In this episode, we chat with SAFE’s Eat Kind team about plant-based diets, and how easy it is to choose kindness when you cook your next meal. The son of a National MP is sentenced for willful ill-treatment under the Animal Welfare Act, but no justice is served for the animals who suffered. And drownings of animals are on the increase, and a lot of it has to do with our attitudes towards animals considered pests.

The historic court case to free mother pigs, and zoonotic diseases with Dr. Michael Greger

SAFE — Tue, 09 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +1200

We discuss SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Associations historic court case, to free mother pigs from farrowing crates. And New Zealand has all but eliminated COVID-19, while the world continues to come to grips with the pandemic. Dr. Michael Greger explains to us how zoonotic diseases like the coronavirus emerge, and why we’re still not safe from future pandemics.

Budget 2020 and the amazing world of fish with Jonathan Balcombe

SAFE — Tue, 26 May 2020 07:00:00 +1200

On today’s show, we chat with internationally renown biologist Jonathan Balcombe about fish behaviour, sentience, and the state of aquatic life in 2020. It turns out fish are pretty amazing, and there’s a lot you probably don’t know about them. And the Government is spending large to see the country through an economic crisis. There’s going to be some big cheques being cashed in the coming months, and some of those cheques are going towards animal exploiting industries.

Greyhound racing, animal cruelty in isolation, and animal law with Danielle Duffield

SAFE — Tue, 12 May 2020 07:00:00 +1200

In this episode, we speak to Danielle Duffield, co-founder of the New Zealand Animal Law association about New Zealand’s animal welfare laws. Greyhound racing has restarted under alert level 3, and fast food faces unprecedented demand at drive-throughs. But do people really know what’s in their bucket of KFC? And hunters are bored in lockdown, but it hasn’t made animals any safer.

Animals in captivity, live export, and human animal relationships with Dr. Nik Taylor

SAFE — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +1200

Wild animals are doing it tough in cages, both in New Zealand and abroad, and on Netflix it seems. We speak to Dr. Nik Taylor about animal human relationships, oppression, violence, and how these intertwine and play a role in our society. And Taranaki locals are fed up with live export, and they’re taking aim at the Taranaki Regional Council.

Justice for pigs, and a conversation with Gareth Hughes

SAFE — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +1200

New Zealand meat producers have been pushing for butchers to re-open, potentially risking the success of the COVID-19 lockdown. Will also speaks to Green MP Gareth Hughes about our animal welfare laws, regulations and enforcement, and his journey as New Zealand's first vegan member of parliament. And SAFE and the New Zealand Animal Law Association are heading to court, and they’re seeking justice for pigs.

How to launch a podcast during a pandemic

SAFE — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +1300

In this debut episode, Will discusses the current state of affairs for New Zealand while the country faces off with COVID-19. He speaks with SAFE Chief Executive Officer Debra Ashton about the state of animal rights in New Zealand and the role that intensive farming plays in the emergence of infectious diseases.