Skip to main content
Log in

Minimizing Harm in Agricultural Animal Experiments in New Zealand

  • Published:
Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Intrusive agricultural experimentspublished in New Zealand in the last five yearsare reviewed in terms of the degree of animalsuffering involved, and the necessity for thissuffering in relation to research findings.When measured against animal welfare criteriaof the Ministry of Agriculture, thirty-sixstudies inflicted ``severe'' or ``very severe''suffering. Many of these experiments hadquestionable short-term applications, had anapplication restricted to agriculturalproduction or economic growth, or could havebeen modified to prevent or reduce suffering.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Aldhouse, P. A., A. Coghlan, and J. Copley, “Let the People Speak,” New Scientist (22May 1999), 26–31.

  • Agnew, K. E., M. C. A. Morris, and N. G. Cullen, “Evaluation of a Liquid Formulation of Monensin to Control Bloat in Pasture-fed Milking Cows,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 48 (2000), 74–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agresearch, Another Gene Discovery Means More Lambs, Press release, http://www. agresearch.co.nz/agr/media/press/2_press.htm (0ctober 2000).

  • Agresearch, Gene Breakthrough, Press release, http://www.agresearch.co.nz/agr/media/ press/15_press.htm (April 2001).

  • Bayvel, A. C. D., “The New Zealand Regulatory Approach to the Use of Live Animals in Research, Testing and Teaching,” in M. Balls, A-M. van Zeller, and M. E. Halder (eds.), Progress in the Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of Animal Experimentation (Elsevier, London, 2000), pp. 1023–1031.

  • Bodensteiner, K. J., K. P. McNatty, C.M. Clark, C. L. Moeller, and H. R. Sawyer, “Expression of Growth and Differentiation Factor-9 in the Ovaries of Fetal Sheep Homozygous or Heterozygous for the Inverdale Prolificacy Gene (FeX1),” Biology of Reproduction 62 (2000), 1479–1485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burne, T. H. J., P. J. E. Murfitt, and A. N. B. Johnston, “PGF2 Alpha, Induced Nest Building and Choice Behaviour in Female Domestic Pigs,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73 (2001), 267–279.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carragher, J. F., T.W. Knight, A. F. Death, A. D. Fisher, and L. R. Matthews, “Measures of Stress and Growth Suppression in Surgically Castrated Bulls,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 57 (1997), 100–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, P., “Bad Copies,” New Scientist 3 (Feb. 2001), 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colemen, J. D., M. M. Cooke, R. Jackson, and R. Webster, “Temporal Patterns in Bovine Tuberculosis in a Brushtail Possum Population Contiguous with Infected Cattle in the Ahaura Valley, Westland,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47 (1999) 119–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collin, R. G., B. L. Smith, and N. R. Towers, “Lack of Toxicity of a Non Sporidesminproducing Strain of Pithomyces Chartarum in Cell Culture andWhen Dosed to Lambs,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 44 (1996), 131–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., “Basal and Stress Response Cortisol Levels and Stress Avoidance Learning in Sheep (Ovis Ovis),” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 44 (1996), 162–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., “Oxytocin and Prolactin Suppress Cortisol Responses to Acute Stress in Both Lactating and Non-lactating Sheep,” Journal of Dairy Research 64 (1997a), 327–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., “Sex Related Differences in Analgesia in Sheep (Ovis Ovis),” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45 (1997b), 169–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., “Steroidal Hormones Determine Sex-related Differences in Opioid-induced Elevation of Nociceptive Threshold in Sheep (Ovis Aries),” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 46 (1998), 68–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., “Maternal Behaviour in Sheep (Ovis Aries) Following Administration of Opioid Agonists,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47 (1999), 67–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, C. J., S. A. Maasland, and C. E. Devine, “Social Behaviour in Sheep Relates to Behaviour and Neurotransmitter Responses to Nociceptive Stimuli,” Physiology and Behaviour 60 (1996), 741–751.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrove, G. P., T. W. Knight, M. G. Lambert, and A. F. Death, “Effects of Post-pubertal Castration and Diet on Growth Rate and Meat Quality of Bulls,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 56 (1996), 390–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cosgrove, G. P., T. W. Knight, A. F. Death, and M. G. Lambert, “Age at Castration after Puberty has no Effect on Carcass Weight,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 57 (1997), 196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, M., A. Smale, S. Bettany, M. Numata, D. Nelson, R. Keedwell, and J. Ragg, “Trap Catch as a Relative Index of Ferret (Mustela Furo) Abundance in a New Zealand Pastoral Habitat,” New Zealand Journal of Zoology 25 (1998), 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies, B., “In-depth Survey of Public Attitude Shows Surprising Degree of Acceptance,” RDS news (April 2000), 8–11.

  • Dinniss, A. S., K. J. Stafford, D. J. Mellor, R. A. Bruce, and R. N. Ward, “Acute Cortisol Responses of Lambs Castrated and Docked using Rubber Rings with or without a Castrating Clamp,” Australian Veterinary Journal 75 (1997a), 494–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dinniss, A. S., D. J. Mellor, K. J. Stafford, R. A. Bruce, and R. N. Ward, “Acute Cortisol Responses of Lambs to Castration using Rubber Rings and/or a Castration Clamp with or without Local Anaesthetic,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45 (1997b), 114–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dinniss, A. S., K. J. Stafford, D. J. Mellor, R. A. Bruce, and R. N. Ward, “The Behaviour Pattern of Lambs after Castration using a Rubber Ring and/or Castrating Clamp with or without Local Anaesthetic,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47 (1999), 198–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, B. M., “The Immorality of Nonhuman Animal Research,” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, (1996).

  • Festing, M. F.W., “Teaching Statistics can Save Animals,” in L. F. M. and M. Balls (eds.), Animal Alternatives, Welfare and Ethics (Elsevier Science, London, 1997), pp. 431–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gear, R. W., C. Miaskowski, N. C. Gordan, S. M. Paul, P. H. Heller, and J. D. Levine, “Kappa-opioids Produce Significantly Greater Analgesia in Women than in Men,” Nature Medicine 2 (1996), 1248–1250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greaney, K. B., G.W. Reynolds, M. J. Ulyatt, D. D. S. MacKenzie, and P. M. Harris, “The Metabolic Cost of Hepatic Ammonia Detoxification,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 56 (1996), 130–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, D. H., “The Insignificance of Statistical Significance Testing,” Journal of Wildlife Management 63 (1999), 763–772.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, M. L. and E. N. Bergman, “A Method for Simultaneous Cannulation of the Major Splanchnic Blood Vessels of the Sheep,” American Journal of Veterinary Research 30 (1969), 655–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, T. W., G. P. Cosgrove, M. G. Lambert, and A. F. Death, “Effects of Method and Age at Castration on Growth Rate and Meat Quality of Bulls,” New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 42 (1999), 255–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, T. W., G. P. Cosgrove, A. F. Death, and C. B. Anderson, “Effect of Method of Castrating Bulls on Their Growth Rate and Live Weight,” New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 43 (2000a), 187–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, T.W., G. P. Cosgrove, A. F. Death, and C. B. Anderson, “Effect of Age of Pre-and Post-pubertal Castration of Bulls on Growth Rates and Carcass Quality,” New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 43 (2000b), 585–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leahy, M. P. T., Against Liberation: Putting Animals in Perspective (London and New York, Routledge, 1991).

  • Lester, S. J., D. J. Mellor, R. J. Holmes, R. N. Ward, and K. J. Stafford, “Behaviour and Cortisol Responses of Lambs to Castration and Tailing using Different Methods,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 44 (1996), 45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • L'Huillier, P. J., S. Soulier, M-G. Stinnarke, L. Lepourry, S. R. Davis, J-C. Mercier, and J-L Vilotte, “Efficient and Specific Ribozyme-mediated Reduction of Bovine [alpha]-lactalbumin Expression in Double Transgenic Mice,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 93 (1996), 6698–6703.

    Google Scholar 

  • MAF (Ministry of Agriculture), Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Dairy Cattle (Wellington, 1992).

  • MAF (Ministry of Agriculture), Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (Wellington, 1995).

  • MAF (Ministry of Agriculture), Animal Use Statistics (Wellington, 2001).

  • Marchand, S. and P. Arsenault, “Odors Mediate Pain Perception. A Gender Specific Effect,” Physiology and Behavior 76 (2002), 251–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCaw, A., “The Three Rs and How They are Promoted,” Proceedings of the Joint ANZCCART/ANEAC Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 1997 (1998), pp. 85–90.

  • Montague, T. and B. Warburton, “Non-toxic Techniques for Possum Control,” in T. Montague (ed.), The Brushtail Possum Biology, Impact and Management of an Introduced Marsupial (Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln, 2000), pp. 164–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C. A., N. R. Towers, T. G. Watson, M. Wheeler, N. C. Amyes, and B. C. Hosking, “Faecal Nematode Egg Counts and Facial Eczema Susceptibility in Romneys,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 56 (1996), 84–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C. A., N. G. Cullen, and H. G. Geertsema, “Genetic Studies of Bloat Susceptibility in Cattle,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 57 (1997), 19–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, C. A., B. L. Smith, and S. M. Hickey, “Relationship between Sporidesmin-induced Liver Injury and Serum Activity of Gamma-glutamyltransferase in Romney Lambs Sired by Facial Eczema-resistant or Control Rams,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 50 (2002), 14–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. C., “Ethical Issues Associated with Sheep Fly Strike Research, Prevention and Control,” Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 13 (2000), 205–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. C, “Issues Associated with Research on Sheep Parasite Control in New Zealand - a Descriptive Ethic,” Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 16 (2003), 187–207. 436

    Google Scholar 

  • Morton, D., “The Use of Score Sheets in the Implementation of Humane End Points,” in ANZCCART/ANEAC (ed.), Ethical Approaches to Animal-based Science. Proceedings of the Joint ANZCCART/ANEAC Conference, Auckland, New Zealand 1997 (1998), pp. 75–82.

  • Munday, R., A. M. Thompson, E. A. Fowke, C. Wesselink, B. L. Smith, N. R. Towers, K. O'Donnell, R. M. McDonald, M. Stirnemann, and A. J. Ford, “A Zinc-containing Intraruminal Device for Facial Eczema Control in Lambs,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 45 (1997), 93–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, N., R. A. Mittermeier, C. G. Mittermeier, A. B. da Fonseca, and J. Kent, “Biodiversity Hotspots for Conservation Priorities,” Nature 403 (2000), 853–858.

    Google Scholar 

  • NAEAC. National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee Annual Report (Ministry of Agriculture, Wellington, 2002).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qureshi, T., R. E. Labes, M. Lambeth, H. Montgomery, J. F. T. Griffin, and C. G. Mackintosh, “Transmission of Mycobacterium Bovis from Experimentally Infected Ferrets to Non-infected Ferrets (Mustela Furo),” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 48 (2000), 99–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radostis, O. M., D. C. Blood, and C. C. Gay, Veterinary Medicine: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Horses. 8th Edition (Balliere Tindall, London, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ragg, J. R., C. G. Mackintosh, and H. Moller, “The Scavenging Behaviour of Ferrets (Mustela Furo), Feral Cats (Felis Domesticus), Possums (Trichosurus Vulpecula), Hedgehogs (Erinaceus Europaeus) and Harrier Hawks (Circus Approximans) on Pastoral Farmland in New Zealand: Implications for Bovine Tuberculous Transmission,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 48 (2000), 166–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • RNZSPCA (Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), “Sow Stall Ban in Sight!,” Press release, http://www.rnzspca.org.nz/campaigns/pigs/index. html (Wellington, 2001).

  • RNZSPCA (Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), “Higher Egg Prices Preferred to Battery Hen Cruelty,” Press release, http://www.rnzspca. org.nz/campaigns/campaigns.html (Wellington, 2002).

  • Rollin, B. E., Animal Rights and Human Morality (Prometheus, Buffalo, 1981).

  • Rudacille, D., The Scalpel and the Butterfly: The War between Animal Research and Animal Production (Farvar, Straus, and Girieux, New York, 2000).

    Google Scholar 

  • SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation), Submission to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, http://www.gmcommission.govt.nz (Auckland, New Zealand, 2001).

  • Singer, P., Animal Liberation: New Revised Edition (Avon Books, New York, 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. L. and P. P. Embling, “Effect of Prior Sporidesmin Intoxication on the Pancreopathy Associated with Zinc Oxide Toxicity,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47 (1999), 25–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. L., L. R. Briggs, P. P. Embling, A. D. Hawkes, and N. R. Towers, “Urinary Excretion of Immunoreactive Sporidesmin Metabolites in Sheep in Relation to Factors Influencing Susceptibility to Sporidesmin Intoxication,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal 47 (1999), 13–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P., W. S. O. Corrigan, K. A., Smith, T. Lundy, G. H. Davis, and K. P. McNatty, “Ovarian Morphology and Endocrine Characteristics of Female Sheep Fetuses that are Heterozygous or Homozygous for the Inverdale Prolificacy Gene (fecX1),” Biology of Reproduction 57 (1997), 1183–1192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stafford, K. J., D. J. Mellor, and C. M. McMeekan, “A Survey of the Methods Used by Farmers to Castrate Calves in New Zealand,” New Zealand Veterinary Journal48 (2000), 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stankiewicz, M., P. E. Cowan, and D. D. Heath, “Endoparasites of Possums from Selected Areas of North Island, New Zealand,” New Zealand Journal of Zoology 25 (1998), 91–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland, M. A., D. J. Mellor, K. J. Stafford, N. G. Gregory, R. A. Bruce, R. N. Ward, and S. E. Todd, “Acute Cortisol Responses of Lambs to Ring Castration and Docking after the Injection of Lignocaine into the Scrotal Neck or Testes at the Time of Ring Application,” Australian Veterinary Journal 77 (1999), 738–741.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wachirapakorn, C., A. R. Sykes, and A. B. Robson, “Magnesium Metabolism in Sheep Subjected to Sodium or Water Loading,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 56 (1996a), 133–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wachirapakorn, C., A. R. Sykes, and A. B. Robson, “Effects of Potassium on Potential Difference across the Rumen Wall and Magnesium Metabolism in Sheep,” Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 56 (1996b), 138–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warburton, B. “Victor Foot-hold Traps for Catching Australian Brushtail Possums in New Zealand: Capture Efficiency and Injury,” Wildlife Society Bulletin 20 (1992), 67–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, D. M., “Cloning and Transgenesis in Animals,” in AWAC/ANZCCART. Innovation, Ethics and Animal Welfare: Public Confidence in Science and Agriculture. AWAC/ANZCCART Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, 1999 (2000), pp. 88–96.

  • Wells, D. M., P. M. Misica, A. M. Day, A. J. Peterson, and H. R. Tervit, “Cloning Sheep from Cultured Embryonic Cells,” Reproduction, Fertility and Development 10 (1998a), 615–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, D. M., P. M. Misica, H. R. Tervit, and W. H Vivanco, “Adult Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer is Used to Preserve the Last Surviving Cow of the Enderby Island Breed,” Reproduction, Fertility and Development 10 (1998b), 369–378.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, D. M., P. M. Misica, and H. R. Tervit, “Production of Cloned Calves following Nuclear Transfer with Cultured Adult Mural Granulosa Cells,” Biology of Reproduction 60 (1999), 996–1005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, T., X-Y Wu, J. L. Juengel, I. K. Ross, J. M. Lumsden, A. E. Lord, K. G. Dodds, G. A. Walling, J. C. McEwan, A. R. O'Connell, K. P. McNatty, and G. W. Montgomery, “Highly Prolific Booroola Sheep have a Mutation in the Intracellular Kinase Domain of Bone Morphogenetic Protein IB Receptor (ALK-6) that is Expressed in Both Oocytes and Granulosa Cells,” Biology of Reproduction 64 (2001), 1225–1235.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morris, M., Weaver, S. Minimizing Harm in Agricultural Animal Experiments in New Zealand. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 16, 421–437 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026335811435

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026335811435

Navigation