Our Vision: We want to create a country where we are admired by the world not just because of our wonderful natural environment, but because of the way we live. A way of life that protects and enhances that environment.
This policy and associated papers are copyright. NZ Outdoors Party. 2020
The Outdoors Party acknowledges that animals are sentient beings with varying degrees of social organisation and emotional lives. Animals feel pain and fear. As such The Outdoors Party aims to exceed world best practice in terms of the compassionate treatment of animals. We believe that an integral part of a ‘Healthy Society’ is a compassionate and ethical stance on animal welfare. We support the establishment of an Independent Office of Animal Welfare (IOAW) for regulatory control, legal framework review and enforcement of legislation, and oversight of animal welfare and rights.
Most New Zealanders are opposed to the live export trade, and have shared a sense of mortified shock and disgrace at the intense animal abuse inflicted upon the animals sent offshore. The Outdoors Party supports this opposition to live export and will ban the practise.
We believe there should be zero tolerance for the abusive treatment of all animals used for meat production. The Outdoors Party proposes a ban on all processors who are found guilty of cruel and inhumane treatment. Cameras must be installed in abattoirs, and training provided to abattoir workers regarding animal welfare and processing devoid of cruelty. The ODP will support farmers wishing to transition into more sustainable and humane agricultural businesses.
The ODP is opposed to vivisection and will support innovative technologies to reduce animals used in experimentation, as soon as possible to reduce the number to zero. Research, testing and teaching should be species-specific. Due to their many differences, no species can be an accurate model for another. Animals can’t reliably predict the human response to drugs and disease.
Research, testing and teaching methods should always be non-harmful to both animals and humans. If a non-harmful and scientifically valid research, testing or teaching method doesn’t yet exist, work should be done to develop one rather than continuing to use a fundamentally flawed or cruel method.