The Government and industry are backing new training initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare outcomes in New Zealand woolsheds, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say.
Hoggard said a $75,000 fund has been established in partnership with industry to support targeted training that strengthens skills, knowledge and compliance in the shearing sector. “We’ve worked with industry to establish a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives that build knowledge, skills, and best practice in animal care and welfare compliance in the shearing industry,” he said.
The funding will be used to deliver a mix of in-person workshops, online training modules, practical assessments and supporting resources for shearers, wool handlers and others working across the sector. MPI will contribute $25,000 to the one-year pilot programme, with further funding coming from industry partners, including PGG Wrightson and The New Zealand Merino Company, which are each contributing $15,000, Wool Impact providing $15,000, and the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association investing $5,000. The New Zealand Veterinary Association is also providing in-kind support.
Hoggard said the programme will be administered by Wool Impact and overseen by a steering committee that includes the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association. “This specific training is important to meet changing market demands while preserving and protecting New Zealand’s reputation for producing the best quality wool and sound shearing practices,” he said.
The training will be delivered by Elite Wool Industry Training and follows allegations of sheep mistreatment linked to shearing practices in December 2024. Patterson said MPI’s investigation into those allegations is still ongoing. Hoggard said maintaining strong welfare standards remains critical for the sector. “New Zealand has a reputation for high animal welfare standards. Maintaining and improving those standards is important for meeting increased customer demands and protecting international market access for our wool exports,” he said.
The new initiative follows MPI’s $75,000 investment earlier this year in The New Zealand Merino Company’s Cadetship Programme, which expanded cadet training and introduced a dedicated animal welfare module.
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