Abstract - Beattie

Virtual fencing – the good, the bad and the ugly

VAWA was contracted in 2024 to develop a Code of Ethical Practice for Virtual Fencing Technology (VFT). This followed engagement with the industry and a sharing of concerns about the almost complete lack of animal welfare regulation in New Zealand, and other jurisdictions, for use of VFT.

While there are certainly some potential benefits from an animal and environmental health perspective, there are also costs to both. Some aspects of development and use are well regulated and transparent (safety of electrical devices), while other aspects are highly variable and extremely secretive. For example, the amount of electricity used on animals, the animal welfare expertise in development teams, the use of devices for herding and drafting, and perhaps underpinning it all, whether there is independent research to back up deployment to alternate applications (e.g., dairy to beef), and other statements made (e.g., environmental claims).

As VFT is taken up more widely, ideally, manufacturer’s would abide by the voluntary Code of Ethical Conduct, thus ensuring that animals get a fair deal from new comers to, and those already in, the market, and farmers are clear about robustness of welfare, and financial claims.

Dr Helen Beattie
Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA)