VetSpace
x

My VetSpace

Sign Up!

Forgot my password
VetSpace > NZVA > Animal Welfare > Welfare Codes and Guidelines

Welfare Codes and Guidelines

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 provides for the issue of Codes of Welfare with legal effect. Codes of Welfare are deemed to be Regulations, meaning that while a breach of a minimum standard in a code is not an offence, failure to adhere to such minimum standards may be used as evidence to support a prosecution under the Act, while compliance may be a defence. Veterinarians are expected to be familiar with the codes relevant to their particular fields of practice.

As at 18 June 2010, the following codes of welfare have been issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999:

  • Broiler Chickens: Fully Housed (2003)
  • Rodeos (2003)
  • Pigs (2004)
  • Layer Hens (2004)
  • Zoos (2004)
  • Circuses (2004)
  • Painful Husbandry Procedures (2005)
  • Deer (2007)
  • Companion Cats (2007)
  • Dairy Cattle (2010)
  • Commercial Slaughter (2010)
  • Dogs (2010)

Codes are available on the MAF website at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/stds/codes

Codes of Recommendations and Minimum Standards and Guidelines - the codes (Codes of Recommendations and Minimum Standards) in place prior to the new legislation had no legal status under the previous legislation and still have no legal recognition under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, although they are useful as guides.  They are being, or will all be, gradually reviewed and revised to the status of codes of welfare. They include:

  • Sea Transport of Sheep from New Zealand (1991)
  • Deer during Removal of Antlers (1992 - amended 1994 & 1997)
  • Horses (1993)
  • Animals in Boarding Establishments (1993)
  • Sale of Companion Animals (1994)
  • Animals Transported within New Zealand (1994 - amended 1996 & 1998)
  • Saleyards (1995)
  • Emergency Slaughter of Farm Livestock (1996)
  • Sheep (1996)
  • Ostrich and Emu (1998)

Guidelines

  • Stock from which Blood is Harvested for Commercial and research Purposes (2009)
  • Yearling Fallow Deer during the Use of Rubber Rings to Prevent Antler/Pedicle Growth (1997)
  • Red and Wapiti Yearling Stags during the Use of Rubber Rings to Induce Analgesia for the Removal of Spiker Velvet (1998)

Guidelines and Codes of Recommendations and Minimum Standards are available on the MAF website at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/stds/min