29 September 2015

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 was amended in May 2015 to clarify that acts of wilful or reckless ill-treatment in hunting and killing (including pest management) can be prosecuted as an offence.

It is a defence if the conduct is, or is part of, ‘generally accepted practice in New Zealand’. The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is discussing what ‘generally accepted practice’ means with the NPCA, DOC, Pest Management Association of New Zealand, and others.

NPCA already develops best practice guidance for pest management in its publications and is looking at what might be needed now on animal welfare.

See the Ministry for Primary Industries website for more about animal welfare.