Criticism of NZ’s animal welfare standards strongly refuted
In an opinion piece published in The Telegraph on 20 November, the Rt Hon Steve Reed claimed that the United Kingdom-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) allowed for "the import of meat products produced to environmental and animal welfare standards so low that they would be illegal in the UK".
Alex Gowen, B+LNZ’s UK-based Regional Manager, says the organisation is taking the criticism seriously and is reaching out directly to the UK Government, farmer organisations, and the UK media to publicly address the claims made by the Secretary of State. In addressing the issue, B+LNZ is also enlisting the support of the New Zealand Government.
"It is simply not good enough", says Mr Gowen.
"We are calling for UK politicians to focus on facts, not misinformation that undermines generations of trust between British and New Zealand farmers".
"We value collaboration over division. If we were to compete, let it be on the rugby field, not through political grandstanding".
B+LNZ Chair Kate Acland has written directly to the Secretary of State saying that the statement he made was categorically false and undermined the reputation NZ farmers. A reputation built over 140 years of supplying high-quality, safe, sustainable, and ethical products to UK consumers.
She points out that animal welfare and sustainability were pivotal during the FTA negotiations and the inclusion of a standalone chapter on animal welfare was the first of its kind. This underscored the shared values and high standards upheld by both nations.
Mrs Acland referred to statements from the Trade and Animal Welfare Coalition, the RSPCA, and Compassion in World Farming all endorsing NZ’s animal welfare standards as being either comparable or better than those in the UK.
She said that while farming systems may differ from those in the UK, this did not equate to lower animal welfare standards.
"Our robust regulatory framework, bolstered by comprehensive assurance schemes, ensures exceptional animal welfare by allowing livestock to live as naturally as possible".
She also pointed out that NZ sheep and beef farmers were world leaders in sustainability, operating efficient, pasture-based systems that produce some of the most environmentally efficient meat globally.
Mrs Acland expressed her disappointment at the criticism, which deviated from the spirit of the FTA; an agreement that was intended as a platform for collaboration, not division, offering both parties the opportunity to work together on critical issues facing NZ and British farmers.
She invited The Secretary of State to NZ to observe this country’s farming systems first-hand.
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