1409 (2025). Rachel Boyack to the Associate Minister of Agriculture

1409 (2025). Rachel Boyack to the Associate Minister of Agriculture: What is his response, if any, to the claims by PETA that most animal abuse goes unpunished due to insufficient laws or industry reluctance to hold major industries accountable?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am committed to ensuring New Zealand retains excellent animal welfare standards across the primary industries. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 (the Act) is enforced by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. There are a range of actions that are taken to ensure the protection of animals and to hold those who mistreat animals to account. For example, in 2024, MPI Animal Welfare Compliance issued 613 infringements and prosecuted 27 individuals in court. The maximum penalty for wilful ill-treatment of an animal is five years in prison and/or a fine of $100,000 for individuals, and a maximum of $500,000 for a company. For individuals who are successfully prosecuted for offences under the Act, it is up to the courts to determine an appropriate penalty in accordance with the principles of the Sentencing Act 2002.