The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is investigating after new video footage has emerged of sheep being punched, kicked, and thrown by workers on farms across the country.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has spent two years going undercover collecting evidence of abuse at 34 farms in New Zealand.
PETA spokesperson Abigail Forsyth said the footage reveals rampant abuse at every stage of farm operations, “from terrified lambs enduring agonising mutilations without any pain relief to shearers punching struggling sheep in the face, and slamming them to the floor”.
She said she was shocked to see shearers beating, kicking, and throwing petrified sheep; workers cutting holes in lambs’ ears and burning their tails off with a hot iron; and the bodies of dead sheep scattered around the properties.
The ministry is now reviewing over 200 video files.
MPI compliance and response director Glen Burrell said the most concerning incidents are concentrated among eight individuals who will be held to account, “although it’s possible a wider set of individuals may come to our attention as the investigation continues”.
“The video footage I’ve seen today shows absolutely unacceptable behaviour towards sheep in sharing sheds.
“The first phase of it is the evaluation, and then we move into an investigation where we take statements from people. We look at scenes, we gather other evidence, which could be more video footage, and we look to bring in experts to help identify potential offending,” Burrell said.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said he’s satisfied that MPI will investigate thoroughly.
“The vast majority of farmers do a fantastic job in caring for their animals,” he said.
“There is no place for bad behaviour where animal welfare has been breached and I am confident that appropriate action will be taken.
“I have asked officials for advice on how we can ensure the highest possible standards in the system around shearers and other contractors.”
Hoggard said he was also aware that MPI and the industry “are setting up an oversight group around best practice, and I fully support that”.
Federated Farmers meat and wool chairman Toby Williams said it was not appropriate to comment on these new allegations, given the investigation.
“What I can say is that we’re confident MPI will complete a thorough investigation and, if it finds breaches of animal welfare have been committed, that those responsible will be charged,” Williams said.
“The footage released by PETA last month simply doesn’t reflect the high animal welfare standards of the vast majority of farmers in New Zealand, but the footage should still serve as a stark wake-up call for farmers.
“We have a pan-sector group set up to help educate farmers about what best practice looks like, to ensure we don’t have a repeat of this alleged behaviour.”
Independent investigation launched
The New Zealand Merino Company is also running an independent investigation for breaches of its ZQ Standard.
It has been able to identify two farms, along with a number of non-ZQ growers, which it has suspended from its programme.
Chairwoman Kate Mitchell said they are appalled by the footage and unequivocally condemn the mistreatment of animals.
“The behaviour captured in PETA’s footage does not reflect the values or practices of the 600-strong ZQ grower base,” she said.
“These farms, many of which are multi-generational family properties, are committed to being part of a standard that advocates for the highest levels of animal welfare.
“We are also exploring the continual advancement of our monitoring and control protocols during shearing and for animal handling practices.”
Mitchell said she will consider the use of video surveillance during shearing for independent review by auditors, unannounced inspections by third parties during heightened risk times of the season, and ensure the appointment of trained, designated animal welfare officers in shearing sheds during shearing for each ZQ property.
