MEXICO CITY: Mexico is keen to expand its country’s sheep flock beyond two million by 2018 through more massive live sheep shipments from New Zealand.
A spokesman at the Embassy of Mexico in Wellington said because the controversial live shipment from Timaru in June went so well, he expected the shipments to continue.
“We assume after the success we hope it will be possible.”
Though more shipments have not been confirmed, Minister of Agriculture Martinez y Martinez said in a press release this week that 250,000 sheep will be added to his country’s herd on an annual basis.
“So that by 2018 it is expected that the herd will number more than two million.”
Mexico wanted to repopulate and improve the genetic make-up of the country’s herds with the high quality New Zealand producers are achieving.
Timaru stock agents Peter Walsh & Associates Ltd procured and readied the nearly 50,000 sheep and 3000 cattle for the June export, which raised the ire of animal right activists who see the carrying of live stock overseas as unacceptable.
Walsh said he was not privy to government export discussions and did not know of any fixed plans.
“I am not aware of anything concrete at the moment.”
He said shipping large numbers of sheep was a “huge request” and took time to organise but he did not think it would be a problem to meet the suggested request if there was plenty of time.
“In New Zealand we have 30 million sheep and farmers keep 30 per cent of the offspring as breed replacements. They don’t want all the sheep on their farm … so I wouldn’t see [providing enough sheep] as a problem.”
Meeting the animal welfare and other protocols was what took the time, he said.
Ministry for Primary Industries director of animal management Matthew Stone said he was not aware of more live sheep exports.
“We have no applications for livestock shipments to Mexico in front of us.”
