A new welfare code for dairy cattle has been criticised by Federated Farmers for "confusing legal requirements with best recommended practices" reports The NZ Herald. Federated Farmers Dairy vice chairperson John Bluett says he is worried the new code could mean farmers are punished if the way they farm does not meet the recommendations. The latest Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010 released last week consolidates a range of already existing documents. "It'll be fine if it's used as a training guide for stockmanship, then it would help, " said Bluett. The code comes under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and deals with the husbandry of cattle on dairy farms. The code covers fundamental obligations around feeding, housing, handling, and healthcare. Bluett says the recommendations are comprehensive, but proposes the document be split into two parts; one which has the legal regulations and the other to outline recommendations.
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