WELLINGTON, April 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand will cease the export of livestock by sea following a transition period of up to two years, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced on Wednesday.
“At the heart of our decision is upholding New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare. We must stay ahead of the curve in a world where animal welfare is under increasing scrutiny,” Damien O’Connor said.
This decision will affect some farmers, exporters, and importers and a transition period will enable the sector to adapt, he added.
Live exports by sea represent approximately 0.2% of New Zealand’s primary sector exports revenue since 2015. O’Connor said officials had spoken to key trading partners about the decision. (Reporting by Praveen Menon Editing by Chris Reese)
