Dairy farmers say the inclusion of minimum standards and industry best practices in the new code of animal welfare can lead to confusion.

Federated Farmers Dairy section believes the code should have been published as two documents, one containing minimum standards and the other industry best practices.

The new code was launched by Agriculture Minister David Carter in Waikato last month.

Federated Farmers Dairy vice chairman John Bluett says dairy farmers will give effect to the animal welfare (dairy cattle) code of welfare 2010. The farmer lobby worked with the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) to revise the code.

But Bluett says the Federation sees the code as “really two documents in one”.

“While I can see why they decided to roll these two very distinct things into the one document, in reality, they should have been split out and published as separate documents,” he says.

“By rolling the two together, lay-people could easily confuse what they see as not meeting a legal minimum, when in fact it’s actually best practice guidance.

“Furthermore, lay-people may not understand farmers taking a hybrid approach that exceeds the minimum but doesn’t meet best practice guidance in the code.”

Bluett says as the code sets a legal minimum, it is incumbent on Federated Farmers, DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand to work on evolving industry practice and training.

The new code covers all areas of dairy cattle management from stockmanship and husbandry practices, to food and water, shade and shelter, and health. This is the first time such a code has been issued.

Carter says it provides clear guidelines about the handling and management of dairy cattle and leaves farmers in no doubt about the standards of welfare they should meet.

“It aims to encourage all those involved in the farming of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of handling and care,” says Carter.

“Like all codes of animal welfare, this is particularly directed at the worst players.”

Failure to comply may lead to prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.