The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee is looking into indoor housing for dairy cows, with the aim of drawing up guidelines.
The Minister of Agriculture has asked it to investigate their use, following a debate over proposals for large-scale dairy farms in the Upper Waitaki region.
Committee chair John Hellstrom says he expects guidelines for dairy cow housing to be added to the existing dairy welfare code.
Dr Hellstrom says there are obvious benefits in providing shelter for cattle in winter or bad weather, but there is a higher risk of infections such as mastitis.
