Farmwatch, SAFE not reassured by MPI response

Earlier in the programme, the Ministry of Primary Industries defended its response to allegations of a Northland sharemilker beating his cows. Disturbing video of the abuse was viewed around the country on Thursday. Farmwatch, the group that used a secret camera to get the footage, says the ministry should be stripped of its animal welfare responsibilities because it knew what was happening, but failed to act. The ministry says it wasn't until it saw the video last Thursday that it had enough evidence to begin an investigation. MPI's manager of compliance investigations, Gary Orr, told us earlier that they have a strong track record of taking action on cases of animal abuse. But Hans Kriek from SAFE tells Susie Ferguson: "When [MPI are] told by a credible source that animals are being treated badly, they just walk away & let it carry on for another year."