Farmer defends his decision to send sheep to Mexico

Government to send 50,000 sheep to Mexico. File photo

A farmer has defended his decision to send more than 1000 of his sheep to Mexico on board a livestock carrier which left New Zealand yesterday.

The largest cargo of animals to leave New Zealand - including 50,000 sheep and 3000 cattle - was loaded onto livestock carrier Nada in Timaru yesterday before setting sail for Mexico.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) approved the export for breeding purposes, however, the shipment of live sheep has prompted concerns from animal welfare groups, and questions from Opposition MPs about whether New Zealand's policy of not exporting livestock for slaughter was being breached.

Fairlie beef and sheep farmer Mark Adams told Radio New Zealand this morning that 1200 of his sheep were included in the shipment.

He did not believe the sheep were being sent for slaughter, he told the broadcaster.

"The Mexican buyer, and I'm not sure who that buyer is, has made a huge commitment in cost, to get these animals... I just don't believe they are going there to be killed because the bulk of them will be in lamb... they wouldn't be good eating.

"If the Mexicans wanted to buy meat - there would be a cheaper way of doing it."

Mr Adams said as he understood, once the lambs arrived in Mexico they would be spread out amongst the farms there.

Livestock broker Peter Walsh put together the shipment. He told RNZ this morning that there "was no doubt" that the sheep were going for breeding.

"There is a contact in Mexico between the exporter and the farmer that they must be going for breeding... they've spent a lot of money procuring the right genetics to do that.

"It seems to me a real pie in the sky suggestion to say that they're not going for breeding."

Mr Walsh told RNZ that animals on board the ship would be "very well cared for".

He said temperatures would be controlled, the sheep would have access to natural light and shade, and there would be plenty of room for the animals to graze.

"It's like a floating hotel."