Skip to content
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.

Voyage reports required

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires that a voyage report is completed for all shipments of livestock by sea that require an Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC).

Reports should be submitted by the exporter to MPI within 20 working days of the vessel arriving at the destination.

MPI assesses past voyage reports when considering any future applications for an AWEC.

Voyage report guidance and template

The MPI Guidance Material for the Transport of Cattle by Sea details the 20 working days timeframe and the format for voyage reports. Section 17 of the guide has more information about the reports. Appendix 7 includes a voyage report template exporters can use.

Voyage report summary – live sheep export

Only one large consignment (greater than 20 animals) of sheep by sea has been exported 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.

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.

Expand all

Post-arrival reports required

Since April 2019 the Ministry for Primary Industries (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 Animal Welfare Export Certificate (AWEC).

Reports should be submitted by the exporter to MPI within 60 days of the vessel arriving at the destination.

MPI assesses past reports when considering any future applications for an AWEC.

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.

Expand all

Find out more

Who to contact

If you have questions about voyage reports or exporting live animals, email animalexports@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units