New Zealand live export ban petition handover

Petition to safeguard New Zealand’s live animal export ban ignored

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This time last year, over 57,000 voices showed the Government that New Zealanders want to #ProtectTheBan on live exports.

Image: Live export ban petition handover. Credit: SAFE

The petition to safeguard the ban on live animal exports - initiated by Dr John Hellström ONZM - was formally presented to Parliament 12 months ago, and since then the Government has failed to issue a response.

Thanks to you, World Animal Protection stand alongside a group of animal organisations today calling for an urgent update from the Government.

Ben Pearson, Country Director
Ben Pearson, Country Director for World Animal Protection Aotearoa

This ban was an act of international leadership in animal welfare, and we then saw similar phase outs announced in Australia and the United Kingdom.

To reintroduce live exports here in Aotearoa would be a huge step backwards, and would damage our international reputation.

Animals on board New Zealand live cattle export voyages are often exposed to rough seas, lack of ventilation, heat stress, injury, illness and sometimes even death.

In June last year, together, we joined Dr John Hellström, animal groups and animal lovers from all over Aotearoa New Zealand to hand in the Parliamentary Petition with over 57,000 signatures demanding the Government protects the world-leading ban on cruel live exports by sea.

Live export cow, New Zealand
Credit: Taranaki Animal Save

In April 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand took a giant step forward by becoming the first country to ban the live export of animals by sea. If the ban is reversed, our animals may once again be exposed to this cruel trade.

Your kind-hearted support is helping keep the pressure on the Government to safeguard the live export ban in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Together, we can protect cattle, sheep and more from cruel live exports by sea.

Live export

On 30th April 2023, Aotearoa New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban live export by sea.

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Factory farming traps farmed animals in an endless cycle of abuse and cruelty. This tragedy will only worsen as demand for meat grows globally.

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