June 1, 2022

 

Group proposes changes to New Zealand's code of welfare for dairy cattle

 

 

New Zealand's National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) is recommending revisions to the dairy cattle welfare code, including a minimum standard and code of best practise, Stuff New Zealand reported.

 

NAWAC has requested public input on themes such as the use of electricity to control livestock behaviour, body condition scoring, intense winter grazing, housing, accommodations for resting surfaces, calf raising, and end-of-life care.

 

Gwyneth Verkerk, chairman of NAWAC, said all pastoral codes are being examined, with regulations for pastoral care of sheep, cattle, and deer all being evaluated to promote synergy across codes.

 

Verkerk said the code has not been reviewed since it was published in 2008.

 

She said it is important that regulations be reviewed and updated as technology develops, citing virtual fencing as an example that was unthinkable in 2008.

 

With the assistance of the cattle industry, the committee has created a draft. It would produce a final proposal for New Zealand's Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor after public consultation.

 

Recent environmental improvements to winter grazing techniques have prompted proposals to address winter grazing and its impact on dairy cattle welfare.

 

Verkerk said the prior code did not control water supply and just specified that water must be given.

 

A minimum water provision criteria was recommended in the draft code. According to the draft, livestock should be no more than 250 metres from a water source in a large farm.

 

She said setting particular goals was challenging because criteria varied depending on the species. On a hot day, the water requirements of a nursing cow differ from those of a young developing animal.

 

The proposed new guideline addresses the debate about the welfare and environmental consequences of winter grazing methods.

 

The proposal looks at how the placement of drinking troughs can help to prevent mud, manure buildup, and pugging. It also covers the amount of space dairy calves have when lying down, stating that muck, surface water, or effluent buildup shall not obstruct lying.

 

Minimum calving requirements are also on the table, which has been a source of contention for some years.

 

-      Stuff New Zealand