| World Vegan News | August 8 2006 |
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The New Zealand Government seems intent on protecting the profits of the factory farming industry despite legal advice and public opinion. This week the Minister of Agriculture, Jim Anderton, announced he is overruling a parliamentary legal committee, saying change would be too hard on the poultry industry.
Parliament's Regulations Review Committee (made up of MPs from many different political parties) recently ruled that battery cages do not comply with the Animal Welfare Act, and they must be phased out over time. Anderton chose to ignore their advice, and public opinion, as he didn't want to create "a seismic shift within the industry".
But the decision may well cause a "seismic shift" in the animal rights movement, as even "moderate" groups lose faith in the democratic process. Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders signed petitions and letters demanding a ban on battery cages, made submissions, and followed the democratic process right through from start to finish. At every step of the way, animal advocates won the arguments, despite opposition from government officials. The recent decision by the Minister confirms this government has no regard at all for animals or democracy.
National animal advocacy group SAFE, who has lobbied for two decades to have battery cages banned, is outraged and labelled the Minister "spineless". "SAFE has witnessed deliberate attempts by industry to coerce and lobby legislators to justify retaining cruel practices and animal husbandry standards. As long as we have Ministers like Anderton, who appear spineless and ineffective, in charge of animal welfare in New Zealand, animals will continue to suffer", said spokesperson Hans Kriek.
Many animal rights groups are making plans for a more direct and confrontational approach now that all the democratic channels have been blocked. One thing is certain; this issue will not go away. Factory farming is the major public animal issue in New Zealand and Andertons decision would appear to be only the start of a new phase in the campaign by animal rights groups.
Reference: QGAR News August 4 2006
