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Source: ONE News -
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The government and Federated Farmers are at odds over "factory farming" of dairy cows after Prime Minister John Key said it could have a negative impact on New Zealand's international free-range brand.
Three companies have applied to set up 16 new farms in the central South Island's Mackenzie Basin, keeping up to 18,000 cows in cubicle stables 24 hours a day for eight months of the year.
In Parliament on Tuesday Prime Minister John Key said the government didn't support it and Agriculture Minister David Carter had asked for urgent advice about how it was affected by the animal welfare code.
Federated Farmers said the "so-called factory farming" cut costs, was environmentally friendly and would not tarnish New Zealand's international reputation.
The Greens were the first to raise a red flag about the applications.
Co-leader Russel Norman said the Government had the power under the Resource Management Act to deal with matters of national significance.
"If this isn't one such issue, what is?" he said.
"Proposals to keep cows in cubicles that they don't leave for eight months of the year are a radical departure from our tradition of farming stock outside and on pasture, and could do immense harm to our clean, green international brand."
Norman says that when word got out overseas that New Zealand butter came from factory farms, the country's competitive advantage would disappear.
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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.