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Jersey cows - Source: ONE News -
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Cubicle style housing of dairy cows is nothing new in Europe, but animal welfare and environmental groups in New Zealand are up in arms that farmers in the Mackenzie basin are following suit.
The SPCA say they are horrified at the "factory dairy farming" plans of three South Island companies and are calling on the public to take a stand against the applications.
"New Zealand needs to speak abut this. Write to your MP, write to the Prime Minister," says SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger.
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Kippenberger says just because it works in other countries doesn't mean it should be done here.
"Everyone else in the world is trying to get animals out of intense farming, and we are about to put them back in?," she says.
She believes if the animals are hidden away they won't know if animals are being maltreated.
Kippenberger says the move would most certainly impact on the nation's clean, green image and international perceptions of New Zealand, something that environmental lobbyists and the Green Party also support .
However Kippenberger does admit that the SPCA has no evidence to
support claims dairy cows are mistreated by the cubicle-style
farms.
The SPCA says though it is unnatural, there is nothing to suggest
cubicle farming is abusive.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) last week advertised resource consent applications from Five Rivers Ltd, Southdown Holdings Ltd and Williamson Holdings Ltd for farm developments that would involve up to 17,850 cows and require, in total, the disposal of up to 1.783 million litres of dairy effluent a day.
The public have until December 18 to make submissions on the Five Rivers and Southdown Holdings proposals, and until January 15 on Williamson Holdings' proposal.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister says he is confident New Zealand's clean green image won't be hurt by free stall farming.
John Key doubts consumers will be put off buying our dairy products as a result.
He says anyone who drives around New Zealand will see that the bulk of our farming is done on a pastoral basis.
What do you think about the practice? COMMENT on our messageboard below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentBM said on 2010-01-28 @ 22:24 NZDT: Report abusive post
So the Prime Minister is confident New Zealand's clean green image won't be hurt by free stall farming and doubts consumers will be put off buying our dairy products . I previously had hope in your leadership John. Now I see your just another big business lackey. You've definately got this wrong just read all the coments on this subject John to see this. You just lost my vote and I am sure lots of others.
kberry said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:29 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why is NZ in such a hurry to become like America? Anyone who has done any research can see just how far we have become removed from the natural order of things in how we grow and treat our food. Cows are grazers. They eat grass, not corn, in pastures, not sheds. This will only promote deformity and disease. Food will be full of more chemicals, and hormones, and will simply NOT BE GOOD FOOD. Check out the film "FOOD INC." to see the state of feed lots in the USA. Simply disgusting. SAY NO!!!!!!!
jillhh100 said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
Having lived overseas eating and drinking dairy products produced by this type of farming I dearly hope we don't head down this route. The products just don't taste as good!! As an environmental engineer I'm confident that solutions can be found for the enviro issues - but the damage the this does to taste and our quality brand in the market, that can't be repaired.
BM said on 2010-01-27 @ 17:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Kris are you saying the meat will be sold cheaper? I can't imagine this at all. Why would the producers sell cage meat at a cheaper cost than field produced meat? This is all about money making and greed. Even if the meat was sold cheaper the real issue is the inhumane treatment of the animals. This farming method is cruel.
BM said on 2010-01-27 @ 16:50 NZDT: Report abusive post
New Zealand is suposed to be clean and green and humane. Overseas this method of keeping animals is used. However we should take the lead and reject this cruel inhumane method of animal farming. I say keep those applying for consent in the conditions they expect the animals to live in for a year and if after this they still want consent give them it. They won't apply for consent having endured the barbaric conditions of course.