New Zealand has decided to ban the export of animals by sea from April 2023, citing animal welfare concerns. A decision that will have a strong impact on major trading partners, including Australia and China.

The decision comes after a ship that left New Zealand with almost 6,000 cows on board capsized off Japan in 2020, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported, as cited by Rador.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the export ban legislation was also aimed at protecting New Zealand’s reputation as a world leader in animal welfare standards.

“Given New Zealand’s geographical location, it should also be considered that animals travel by sea for long periods of time, which increases their susceptibility to heat stress and other welfare risks. This bill builds on New Zealand’s reputation as a safe and ethical producer of high-quality food,” O’Connor said, adding that the impact of the decision on exports would be reduced.

Live animal exports by sea account for approximately 0.2% of New Zealand’s export earnings in the primary sector, which was estimated at approximately US$60 million (approximately €35 million) per year between 2015 and 2019. The possibility of exporting live animals by air transport remains.