The Gulf Livestock 1 cargo vessel, seen here in Australian waters last year, which sank in the East China Sea last week. As has been so graphically illustrated in the past week, maritime disasters are an inherent risk in the live export trade. New Zealand was right to ban the export of live animals for slaughter in 2007, but continuing to allow live cattle to be exported for breeding purposes surely undermines our competitive advantage. Live cattle exports generated just $54 million in 2019. But both National and Labour are timidly waiting for the MPI review report, before taking a stand on the future of livestock exports.

Source: Stuff September 07, 2020 16:52 UTC