Live sheep exports to resume

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The Government intends ending the six-year moratorium on live sheep exports but says it will have to be assured the animals are properly treated on the trip to Saudi Arabia and when they get there.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has confirmed shipments would resume under those conditions, distressing the Green Party and animal rights activists.

TV3 News reported the sheep were being bred for export in Napier by a company majority-owned by Saudi Arabian interests.

"There's a particular breed of sheep Saudi Arabia was interested in obtaining," Mr Carter said.

"If we can provide the security and safety around the arrangement with the Saudi Arabian government, I see it as being another opportunity."

Mr Carter said live sheep would not leave the country unless there was an assurance of their treatment on the water and when they arrived in Saudi Arabia.

Live sheep exports were stopped in 2004 after 5000 sheep died on an Australian ship bound for Saudi Arabia, provoking international protest and disgust.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley said she understood shipments would start in June.

"I don't question that the Muslims have their festivals and they do what is culturally appropriate for them to do, but we don't have to participate in extreme cruelty," she said.

TV3 News said the demand for live sheep was now greater than ever, driven by the Haj Festival where sheep were sacrificed.

Animal rights activists said New Zealand's trading reputation was worth much more than shipments of live sheep.

- NZPA