Tauranga woman Nikki Frair is delighted there is to be a review of blunt force calf killings but she's not stopping her online petition opposing the measures just yet.

'I'm really pleased to know the minister has ordered a review and like to think the petition may have played a small part in making that happen,” says the 21-year-old psychology student.

Tauranga woman Nikki Frair is petitioning to stop the blunt force killing of calves.

She began the online petition to outlaw the use of blunt instruments, such as hammers and crowbars, on the www.change.org site two weeks ago and so far it's been signed by more than 1000 people worldwide.

'I'll be posting on the site that the Government has called for a review but I'll keep the petition going for now.

'I think a lot of people believe the killing of calves like this is rare but we have to accept it can happen day-to-day in this country and should be stopped.”

Nikki started the petition after seeing television footage of calves being killed by a New Zealand farmer on a property in Chile.

The same images caused a public outcry, and today Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has instructed officials to consult on prohibiting the use of blunt force to euthanise bobby calves on farms in New Zealand.

'After speaking to industry leaders, I have asked the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to consider an amendment to the Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare 2010,” says Nathan.

Change in legislation is exactly what Nikki is calling for in the petition.

'Let's band together to bring justice to those who cannot be heard, that are consistently being taken advantage of by the dairy industry and allow them their final rights on this earth to be a peaceful, painless death. Action is required to make the necessary changes to this legislation.

'The term ‘bobby calves refers to newborn calves, less than 30-days-old that have been prematurely separated from their mothers.

'Essentially, they are surplus to the requirements of the dairy industry as they are not required for the milking herd, nor are they seen profitable.

'This applies to all bull calves (males) and around three quarters of heifer calves (females). As with any living creature I believe they have the right to die humanely, not a victim of severe violence prolonging suffering prior to death. A lethal injection should be legally required to be administered to these distressed animals in emergency situations, this would ensure the animal was put out of its misery quickly and painlessly as they deserve.”

Nathan says New Zealand's animal welfare system is among the best in the world, but believes the time has come to review the use of blunt force.

'Industry groups do not recommend it as best practice for euthanising calves, and as a humane society we have a responsibility to look after animals and avoid unnecessary suffering.

'The vast majority of farmers in New Zealand care about their animals and do a good job of looking after them. While I don't believe this practice is widespread, I have real concerns about this and the potential damage it could do to our reputation.”

NAWAC will begin public consultation soon on the proposed amendment. A final decision will be made in mid-year after receiving final advice.

'As part of this consultation, consideration will be given to emergency cases where a farmer might discover a suffering animal in a remote location and only have access to limited equipment.

'The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill is currently before the Select Committee and will further strengthen the Act. It allows for the creation of enforceable regulations that will complement the minimum standards contained within New Zealand's 16 codes of welfare.”

'The Ministry for Primary Industries already takes a tough line on animal cruelty and there have been a number of major prosecutions over the last couple of years. Animal welfare inspectors and compliance officers visit farms, provide advice and education to animal owners and enforce the law,” says Nathan.

Industry bodies, DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ), are supporting the MPI to review and clarification of the methods for euthanasia of bobby calves on farms.

DairyNZ's strategy and investment leader for sustainability, Dr Rick Pridmore, says DairyNZ supports the need for greater clarity in the code requirements.

'We are keen to work with the Government to ensure robust and practical codes. We also want to work together to make sure the rules are understood by farmers,” he says.

'The aim is always to minimise unnecessary suffering. Farmers using any method must be suitably trained and skilled.”

Federated Farmers also supports the review to assess if the use of blunt force should be prohibited, except, as an emergency measure.

'Any review must set in stone that blunt force is an emergency measure, when there is no access to one of the approved methods and the time to get hold of one would only add to the animals' suffering,” says Federated Farmers Vice-Chairperson Andrew Hoggard.

'There is no way blunt force ought to be standard operating procedure and we welcome the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) considering amendment along these lines.”