On 14 April 2021, I announced the Government's decision to ban the export of cattle, deer, goats, and sheep by ship with a transition period of two years. We acknowledge the economic benefits some farmers have and still get from the trade, but support for it is not universal at all. There are different opinions on its long-term value and how it impacts on New Zealand's commitment to animal welfare. A key question to answer is whether the activity aligns with the international consumers' image of Aotearoa New Zealand. We have seen an increase, in recent years, with the direct value of New Zealand's livestock export trade increasing to $261 million for the year ending December 2020, following the $84 million income from 2019. There was a rapid lift in the value of the trade. It's hard to estimate the total number of farmers who use the trade as that can be dependent on conditions and on farm decisions from year to year. This is a fluctuating trade, and the economic benefit is not consistent. It amounts to only around 0.2 percent of our primary sector revenue since 2015. New Zealand's $50 billion in primary sector exports, which rely in large part on New Zealand's good name and reputation, should not be put at risk for this relatively small trade.