Victory for animals: Minister confirms plans to bring back live export have stalled

SPCA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Arnja Dale, says the idea of a “gold standard” or “highest standards of animal welfare,” as promised by National and ACT, was never achievable for this industry. She says the science is unequivocal that transporting livestock by sea over long distances is inherently linked with major animal welfare compromise.

“We have been waiting for the announcement for two years; there has been delay after delay. It’s obvious to every New Zealander who cares about animals that bringing back livestock exports was indefensible,” says Dr Dale.

“This result was inevitable. Tens-of-thousands of New Zealanders made their voices heard, and any attempt to restart live export faces overwhelming opposition. Today’s confirmation simply aligns policy with public expectations and compassion for animals. New Zealanders have shown that animal welfare cannot be side-lined for narrow economic gain.”

“Attempts to repeal New Zealand’s world leading ban on live export have been consigned to the history books.”

More than 57,000 people signed a petition in 2024 calling for the ban to be protected, and thousands more submitted, wrote to their local MPs, or voiced publicly to keep this issue firmly in the national spotlight.

Surveys commissioned by SPCA show only 17% of kiwis support resuming live export, and just 12% trust the industry. Even among farmers, most back the ban. The ban was introduced to prevent the suffering of animals transported on long sea journeys and concerns New Zealand cannot guarantee how animals are treated once they leave the country.

Repealing it would have risked the welfare of hundreds of thousands of animals for only a small economic gain.

As New Zealand heads towards the November election, SPCA will continue campaigning to ensure live export is not restarted in future. The organisation says this development reflects the overwhelming public opposition to bringing the trade back.

SPCA is thanking every person and group who took action to protect the ban, noting that this outcome would not have been possible without their support.

“This is a win for animals, for the general public, and for New Zealand’s international reputation, we couldn’t have done this without you,” says Dr Dale.