Act now to protect sheep from mass cruelty

New Zealand is in danger of tarnishing its international reputation by allowing thousands of sheep to endure the often fatal cruelty of long distance transport.

Five years after ceasing live exports – during which sheep suffer from hunger, stress, disease and often death – the New Zealand government is considering resuming the live trade to Saudi Arabia.

This is a journey of more than 20 days.

Retrograde step for animal welfare

By slaughtering locally and exporting frozen and chilled meat, New Zealand currently spares animals from these completely unnecessary journeys.

But once sheep leave New Zealand, the country’s welfare laws no longer apply – those that survive the journey have no guarantee of a humane end.

Prevent a return to animal suffering

Independent polls show that 81 per cent of New Zealanders believe the frozen and chilled food trade is the best way to export meat.

Add your voice

Please add your name to a letter to the New Zealand Ambassador to the United States. The letter asks New Zealand to stand firm against the cruelty of live export and maintain the country’s reputation as a world leader in animal welfare.

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Dear Ambassador Ferguson:

I am writing to express my concern regarding the New Zealand government’s plan to resume the export of live sheep.

Transporting animals long distances for slaughter falls well short of providing the level of animal protection now demanded by most developed countries.

Despite efforts in recent years to improve the welfare of farmed animals transported for slaughter over long distances, many thousands of animals continue to suffer and die every year on long sea and road journeys, and I believe it is impossible to make these grueling trips humane.

Americans currently hold a very favorable opinion of your country and its goods. In fact, more than $3 billion worth of New Zealand agricultural and other products are imported by the U.S. each year. Allowing live animal exports to resume could tarnish New Zealand’s reputation as a source of quality goods among American consumers.

I urge the government of New Zealand to protect its international standing as a leader in animal welfare by refusing to resume live sheep exports.

Sincerely,

 

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Ambassador Roy Ferguson New Zealand Embassy to the United States 37 Observatory Circle, NW Washington, DC 20008 United States of America Dear Ambassador Ferguson: I am writing to express my concern regarding the New Zealand government's plan to resume the export of live sheep. Transporting animals long distances for slaughter falls well short of providing the level of animal protection now demanded by most developed countries. Despite efforts in recent years to improve the welfare of farmed animals transported for slaughter over long distances, many thousands of animals continue to suffer and die every year on long sea and road journeys, and I believe it is impossible to make these grueling trips humane. Americans currently hold a very favorable opinion of your country and its goods. In fact, more than $3 billion worth of New Zealand agricultural and other products are imported by the U.S. each year. Allowing live animal exports to resume could tarnish New Zealand's reputation as a source of quality goods among American consumers. I urge the government of New Zealand to protect its international standing as a leader in animal welfare by refusing to resume live sheep exports. Sincerely,