Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Animal Welfare Act 1999

Animal exports

40: Animal export requires animal welfare export certificate

You could also call this:

"You need a special certificate to take animals out of New Zealand by ship or plane."

If you export an animal from New Zealand to another country on a ship or aircraft, you need an animal welfare export certificate. You must get this certificate to export animals, or you might commit an offence. This rule does not apply if the export is exempted by a notice published under section 48(1) or if it is being done under a permit from the Conservation Act 1987 or an Act listed in Schedule 1 of that Act.

However, there is an exception that does not apply to exporting cattle, deer, goats, or sheep by ship. If you break this rule, you can get in trouble. You might have to pay a fine or even go to prison.

If you are an individual and you commit this offence, you can be imprisoned for up to 6 months or fined up to $25,000, or both. If you are a company, you can be fined up to $125,000.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM50451.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Farming and fishing
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39: Effect of this Part, or

"This part of the law works with other parts, not instead of them."

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41: Animal welfare export certificate must not be issued for certain animals, or

"No export certificates for shipping cows, deer, goats, or sheep by sea."

Part 3Animal exports

40Animal export requires animal welfare export certificate

  1. A person commits an offence who exports an animal from New Zealand to another country on a ship or aircraft other than under the authority, and in accordance with the conditions, of an animal welfare export certificate.

  2. Nothing in subsection (1) applies if the exportation of the animal—

  3. is exempted from the requirements of that subsection by a notice published under section 48(1); or
    1. is being effected under the authority of a permit, certificate, or other authorisation issued under the Conservation Act 1987 or any Act listed in Schedule 1 of that Act.

      1. However, the exception in subsection (2) does not apply to the exportation of cattle, deer, goats, or sheep by ship.

      2. A person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction,—

      3. in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding $25,000 or to both; or
        1. in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $125,000.

          Notes
          • Section 40 heading: replaced, on , by section 5(1) of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 53).
          • Section 40(2A): inserted, on , by section 5(2) of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 53).
          • Section 40(2A): amended, on , by section 6 of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 53).
          • Section 40(3): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).