Approval has been given for the shipment of 5,400 cows to China. Photo credit: Getty

SAFE Head of Campaigns Marianne Macdonald said the Government needed to take the review more seriously. "Despite the suffering of animals prompting a review on the live export trade, MPI is still approving applications to export live animals," she said.

"All live export applications should have been immediately put on hold pending the results of the review," said Macdonald. MPI said the latest live cattle export had been through tough animal welfare requirements. Director of animal welfare Dr Chris Rodwell told Stuff that he understood the issue of live animal exports was one people felt strongly about. "The Agriculture Minister has asked us to review the process of live animal exports and has clearly signalled that a number of options are being considered, including a conditional ban on the process," he said. "In the meantime, any applications to export must meet tough requirements around the welfare of animals, and our focus is firmly on ensuring exported animals are well cared for, before, during and after export." Damien O'Connor told Newshub earlier that the continued export of cattle could be a risk to New Zealand's brand, and the time had come to rethink the area and consider whether it's something that fits within the values of New Zealand.

Damien O'Connor ordered a review of live cattle exports. Photo credit: Newshub