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Protestors are planning to descend on Port Taranaki on Friday to protest the live export of animals.

The live export ship Yangtze Fortune arrived on Thursday to collect 3800 cows for export to China.

SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) spokesperson Will Appelbe says once these animals leave our shores, we have no control over their welfare.

"Many of these animals will spend their lives in concrete factory farms before they're sent to slaughter. That's too cruel to be legal in New Zealand."

The group is concerned the industry is rushing to export as many animals as possible while the live export trade is still under review.