Animal Welfare

DairyNZ plays an active role in getting involved with industry directives for animal welfare.

Many people have tried to define animal welfare, but to date there is still no universally accepted definition of the term. At a very basic level, animal welfare can be viewed as treating animals in a positive way, with the minimum amount of suffering and disruption to their lives. In practical terms, treating animals with regard to their welfare (and in accordance with the 'Five Freedoms') can have positive effects on production, such as increased milk yield. The opposite is also true. Treating animals with little or no regard to their welfare can lead to significant production losses and in extreme cases, illness and even death.

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the Painful Husbandry Procedures Code of Welfare 2005 are two key legislations relating to animal welfare.

• Frequently asked questions – Animal Welfare Act 1999 
• Frequently asked questions - Painful Husbandry Procedures Code of Welfare 2005
  

Animal Welfare and the New Zealand Dairy Industry

A Guide For Veterinarians and Rural Professionals

Animal welfare is an area of increasing importance for the New Zealand dairy industry. This resource 'Animal Welfare and the New Zealand Dairy Industry' provides a basic introduction to animal welfare and is aimed at veterinarians and rural professionals, although other readers may also find it of interest.

Topics covered include:

• A brief history of modern animal welfare
• The difference between animal welfare and animal rights
• Codes of animal welfare and the Animal Welfare Act
• Assisting with an animal welfare investigation
• Case studies

The resource also provides detailed information behind the minimum standards contained in the Painful Husbandry Procedures Code of Welfare.