Saudi businessman 'Sheik Hamood Al-Ali Al-Khalaf' is currently in the eye of storm of animal welfare organizations in New Zealand as he is all set to export nearly 5,000 cows to Mainland China.

The opposition is owing to the fact that Mr Al-Khalaf's company has a chequered record in exporting bulk animals, causing mass death of animals in the past.

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According to reports in New Zealand media, Ministry for Primary Industries has received an export application from Khalaf's company Awassi Express to export 5,300 dairy breeding cattle to China. The cows are due to be docked from coastal city of Naiper in just matter of few days.      

Animal right activists and politicians are concerned about treatment these cows will be receiving during the long voyage and also whether right protocols will be followed during their slaughtering.    

"We need to be assured they have the very highest standards of animal welfare both on the ship and then of course once they get to China," said Damien O'Connor, Labour Party primary industry spokesperson.  

The director of Safe, a prominent animal welfare organization, Hans Kriek claimed that there is no guarantee that these cows would be treated humanely after reaching their final destination.

"They will be slaughtered, for instance, without stunning as is required in New Zealand," Hans said.    

The leader of New Zealand First party, Winston Peters, has also raised red flag over livestock export. He termed the government's decision to allow nearly 5,000 cows to be exported as an 'economic treason.'  

"It does beg the question, is New Zealand benefiting from such a large export of high-quality genetic material from our dairy industry?" Winston said.

Mr. Khalaf has reportedly invested huge amount of money in New Zealand's dairy and livestock industry.   

Apparently, almost two years ago New Zealand government had signed a controversial deal with Mr. Khalaf's company to export 900 heavily-pregnant lambs to Saudi Arabia. The deal came under the scanner as it was reported that government gave more than $11 million in cash as well as livestock equipments to the company.

However, an official last year found no evidence of corruption in the deal, but criticized the government over the way it carried out transaction. 

Tagschina, new zealand, China and New Zealand, Dairy Industry in New Zealand