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Milking time - Source: ONE News
DairyNZ says the introduction of an Animal Welfare Code for dairy cattle is great news for the industry.
The code includes a minimum standard of care for dairy cattle, as well as recommendations for best practice.
DairyNZ Chairman John Luxton says it will strengthen the regard of the industry internationally. He says like most businesses they try to get best practice and to be ahead of all the other players.
Luxton says most countries don't have this kind of code and that's to the advantage of the industry. And he says at the same time it's common sense.
Luxton says most farmers are following the practices already, but to have a formal code is a positive step.
But Federated Farmers is concerned the new code could lead to confusion, and to farmers being unnecessarily investigated.
Dairy vice-chairman John Bluett says he doesn't have any issue with the standards set out in the code and the guidelines are very comprehensive.
Bluett says for 99% of farmers it will be all right but the concern is over people confusing the best practices for the minimum and falsely thinking farmers are failing to meet standards. He says some farmers could end up going through the process of an inspection because of someone not understanding the difference.
Bluett says Federated Farmers is happy with the guidelines within the code, but thinks the two aspects should have been separated.
But Agriculture Minister David Carter says he isn't concerned about this as the distinctions between the two are very clear. He says anything less than the standard set is unacceptable, and this code sends a strong message on that to farmers in the industry and all New Zealanders.
