Animal Welfare

UnitedFuture’s position is for tough and relevant penalties for animal cruelty. Abuse and tolerance of animal mistreatment should not be placed in a separate category from other criminal activities. The common assumption that inhumane treatment of animals is distinct from how we treat people is simply false. In fact, how we treat the most vulnerable in our society reveals more about us than anything else. Cruelty cannot be mitigated on the basis of who or what it is directed at.

UnitedFuture has become increasingly concerned with the number of serious and fatal dog attacks that have occurred throughout New Zealand over the last few years.

• It is UnitedFuture policy to place dangerous breeds on a ban-list and require neutering for dogs on that list as well as placing a ban on new animals. No one will have to give up their current pet, but over time the number of dangerous dogs will drop until such breeds no longer exist in New Zealand.

UnitedFuture supports informed choice in consumer affairs. More specifically, there is currently no regulation to enforce the details of egg manufacture, allowing producers to adopt misleading advertising to blur the distinction between battery and free-range eggs.

• It is UnitedFuture policy to promote mandatory standardised labelling with regard to the use of animals in food production.