Animal welfare requirements
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Animal welfare goes beyond just daily care for animals on farm. It means adhering to standards set out by the Animal Welfare Act, the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare and meeting consumer and market expectations. DairyNZ works with farmers and partners to promote best practices and resources. Animal care is not only beneficial for the animals, but also for you, the farm, the dairy industry, and New Zealand as a whole.
Understanding your legal obligations
New Zealand's animal welfare framework is built on two key pillars:
The Animal Welfare Act 1999 sets out your legal responsibilities as a farmer. It recognises animals as sentient beings capable of experiencing both positive and negative emotions.
This means you must not only prevent harm but also provide opportunities for your cattle to experience positive states of wellbeing.
The Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare provides the specific minimum standards and best practice guidance for dairy cattle management. The Code covers everything from nutrition and shelter to stock handling and end-of-life care.
Compliance with these standards is not optional – they're your legal obligation as a dairy farmer.
Welfare codes
Three codes of welfare outline the industry-agreed standards of animal care and good stockmanship practices. Codes of Welfare set out the 'Minimum Standards' required to meet the welfare requirements of different animals. Failure to meet a Minimum Standard can lead to prosecution. They are:
Animal welfare regulations
Changes to the Animal Welfare Act in May 2015 gave MPI the ability to make regulations under the Animal Welfare Act. This means that MPI can better enforce the Act by setting out clear rules to protect animal welfare.
Read more here: Guide to the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations
Positive welfare
Positive welfare means moving beyond surviving to thriving, creating a good life for dairy cows. Positive welfare is a way of thinking about animal wellbeing that’s not just about avoiding suffering but about creating opportunities for cows to experience positive emotions, express natural behaviours, and live a good life. Cows are sentient animals. They feel things from comfort and pleasure to pain and fear. Knowing this gives us a responsibility to move beyond simply meeting the basics to actively supporting their wellbeing.
More information
For guidance on regulations, minimum standards, and recommended best practices for specific animals or activities, use the MPI tool Ask Reg.
For veterinary advice, contact your local vet and to report a welfare problem contact:
- Ministry of Primary Industries 0800 00 83 33
- SPCA 0800 682 467 (Extn 1)
Additional resources
Humane Slaughter
/animal/animal-welfare/humane-slaughter/
Transporting Stock
/animal/animal-welfare/transporting-stock/
Transporting bobby calves
/animal/calves/transporting-bobby-calves/
Collecting calves
/animal/calves/collecting-calves/
Positive welfare
/animal/animal-welfare/positive-welfare/
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