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Last reviewed:

Update – 16 July 2021

Exports of livestock by sea ending

Exports of livestock by sea will stop on 30 April 2023, marking the end of a transition period to wind down the trade. MPI will continue to make improvements to manage animal welfare risks during the transition period, as part of the continuous improvement programme for livestock by sea.

Reporting guidance

As a condition of obtaining an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC) for the export of livestock by sea, there are reporting requirements for exporters during and following the voyage.

Section 11 of our guidance document has details on reporting timeframes. It also contains information on voyage, and post-arrival reports.

Guidance document – Livestock export by sea: Guidance for cattle [PDF, 642 KB]

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) assesses past reports when considering any future applications for an AWEC.

Find out about getting an AWEC

Information required

The on-board veterinarian is required to submit information to MPI daily - from the day the first animal is loaded until the last animal is unloaded at the destination port. Previously these were in print form. MPI has developed a mobile phone application to enable this information to be sent efficiently and in real-time. Exporters are provided with this application on a per-consignment basis by MPI.

Voyage reports required

MPI requires that a voyage report is completed for all shipments of livestock by sea that require an AWEC.

Reports are to be submitted by the exporter to MPI within 5 working days of the vessel arriving at the destination.

Post-arrival reports required

Since April 2019 MPI has required that a report on the welfare of exported livestock during the 30 days after arrival at the destination is completed for all shipments of livestock by sea that require an AWEC.

Reports need to be submitted by the exporter to MPI within 40 days of the vessel arriving at the destination.

Voyage report summary – live sheep export

Only one consignment of sheep has been exported by sea since 2008. It was a shipment of 45,112 sheep to Mexico, which departed Timaru on 11 June 2015 on the vessel Nada.

The voyage took 15 days and mortality rate in the sheep was 0.42% with 191 sheep deaths.

Read MPI’s media release about sheep unloaded in Mexico

Voyage report summaries – live cattle exports

Summaries of consignments (greater than 20 animals) of cattle exported by sea since 2015 show the mortality rates for each voyage. The summaries also include the port of export, vessel name, and the voyage length. Where significant mortalities have occurred, a short explanation of the reason is given. These shipments have resulted in MPI requesting further information from the exporter and a re-evaluation of systems that caused the deaths.

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Post-arrival report summaries – live cattle exports

A summary of consignments of cattle exported by sea since April 2019 showing the mortality rates during the first 30 days after arrival of the animals in the destination country.

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Find out more

Who to contact

If you have questions about daily, voyage, and post-arrival reports or exporting live animals, email animalexports@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units