Policy Markets Welfare

New Rules Announced to Prevent Bobby Calf Abuse in New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND - The 8 organisations that formed the Bobby Calf Action Group at the end of 2015 have accelerated and added to existing measures aimed at ensuring everyone involved with bobby calves applies best practice in their handling and care.

15 June 2016

2 minute read

Oceania

The actions follow alleged bobby calf abuse that has resulted in court cases.

"There has been a significant amount of commitment and work by the Group to advance initiatives that will impact on farms and during the transportation and processing of bobby calves," said Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) Deputy Director General, Scott Gallacher.

"Farmers, industry and government have been working for some years on lifting the standard of care for bobby calves and that has been effective.

"Last year's footage of bobby calf mistreatment provided an impetus to accelerate the work programme," said Mr Gallacher.

DairyNZ's Chief Executive Tim Mackle says the issues go beyond the farm gate.

"There are many players in the value chain and it was important that we got together to solve these issues," said Mr Mackle.

"We saw some unacceptable behaviour last year and we are committed to eliminating it from the industry," added Mr Mackle.

Mr Gallacher noted that MPI's investigation into potential animal mistreatment following the release of the bobby calf footage is ongoing.

A processing worker pleaded guilty to all 10 charges over alleged bobby calf offences when he appeared in court early June.

MPI also laid a further 4 representative charges against a company and an individual last month in relation to alleged animal welfare offences involving bobby calves. The first hearing for those charges has been set down for late June 2016.

The Bobby Calf Action Group is made up of DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, Meat Industry Association, Federated Farmers, New Zealand Petfood Manufacturers Association, Road Transport Forum, New Zealand Veterinary Association and the Ministry for Primary Industries.