The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback about proposed regulations for significant surgical procedures on animals.

Included are regulations around procedures on horses and other equids, including castration; blistering, firing, mechanical soring and nicking; dentistry; and Caslick’s procedure.

MPI is proposing clearer rules about who can carry out certain procedures on animals and how they must be done. To ensure the well-being of animals, such procedures must be carried out by the right people with the right skills and care.

The proposed rules mostly allow competent people to continue doing routine procedures on animals. Some proposals raise the standard.

MPI wants to hear from those who work with and care for animals, and anyone else who is interested in animal welfare.

Read the full discussion document here

Submissions close on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 and can be either emailed to animal.consult@mpi.govt.nz or by mail to: Animal Welfare Policy, Ministry for Primary Industries, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140.