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PETA's shocking footage sparks backlash from farmers

PETA's shocking footage sparks backlash from farmers
The New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association have said " the issues presented by PETA are completely inconsistent with NZSCA members in shed practices and our animal Welfare policy."

"It's not necessarily to expose bad behaviour; it's to get people away from livestock farming altogether."

That's the response from Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury meat and wool chairperson Ross Bowmar to the footage released by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) of mistreatment of sheep during shearing.

The footage, which PETA described as "explosive", was filmed in 11 different sheds across New Zealand from 2023 to the end of 2024.

The organisation says the footage shows "the workers beating and kicking terrified sheep, stomping and standing on their necks, and violently throwing the animals down chutes, among other cruel acts."

"No farmer would want what was in those tapes to occur to their stock because it's not good for the welfare of their animal, nor is it good from a business perspective either," Bowmar said.

Bowmar said the footage does not reflect what goes on behind woolshed doors.

"In any industry, you're always going to find people who don't meet the standards and expectations of the majority; you're always going to have a few people doing things they shouldn't be.

"PETA is criticising everyone for the actions of a few."

Bowmar said the treatment of stock shown in the videos, while not standard practice, should not be tolerated.

"Behavior like that should be called out."

Following the release of the footage, PETA penned a letter to Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay, calling for the government "to mandate live-streaming web cameras in all shearing sheds."

In the letter, the organisation stated that webcams would provide transparency and accountability.

"The public has the right to know whether meaningful action is being taken or whether this investigation will show yet another attempt by the wool industry to sweep abuse under the rug."

Farm lobby groups have deemed webcams as impractical.

"Who is going to sit and watch the things?" Bowmar said.

Bowmar said that, as a farmer himself, he observes shearers in his shed to ensure individual shearers are adhering to animal welfare standards.

If he isn't happy, he asks the contractors to make changes so that he gets a team that meets the standards required.

"That's the logical approach most farmers would take."

The footage attacks a wool industry already struggling despite the fibre's biodegradable and sustainable properties.

"The same people who are attacking farmers over shearing practices are the same people who are wearing plastic clothes and heating up the planet and causing climate change," Bowmar said.

It's a sentiment echoed by Federated Farmers national meat and wool chairperson Toby Williams, who has described the release of the footage by PETA as a "disgusting attack on New Zealand sheep farmers".

"We don't actually make any money from shearing.

"It's a cost we have to carry to keep our sheep healthy.

"Selling the wool doesn't even cover the cost of the shearing these days.

"This is a disgraceful hit job by PETA, who want people to think the footage in their video is what all farming practices in New Zealand look like, but that couldn't be further from the truth."

Williams said the video was a montage showing some isolated examples of poor practice that most Kiwi farmers wouldn't put up with in their shearing shed.

"I think most people will see straight through [PETA] and realise it's all just an attempt to push their extreme anti-farming agenda."

The New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association (NZCSA) released a statement saying the organisation was committed to investigating all allegations thoroughly.

"NZSCA members are constantly monitoring the shearing practices of their highly trained and professional employees to ensure the highest standards of ethical and animal welfare practices are maintained.

"The issues presented by PETA are completely inconsistent with NZSCA members in shed practices and our animal Welfare policy."

By Claire Inkson