The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) which oversees and regulates agricultural sectors in New Zealand, said charges had been made under the country’s Animal Welfare Act against an individual.

The charges were brought following an investigation which began in September 2015.

Animal rights groups SAFE and Farmwatch carried out undercover work, setting up hidden cameras across 12 farms and one slaughterhouse.

Violent abuse

The hidden camera footage showed violent abuse against bobby calves, including being kicked, thrown and beaten on-farm and in a slaughterhouse.

The videos were given to the MPI, which said it investigated the case after it received “many hours of footage containing alleged offences involving bobby calves in the Waikato region”.

Deputy general of the MPI Scott Gallacher said: “The investigation into this matter has been careful and methodical and is ongoing.”

Charges were filed this week at the Huntly District Court under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to this matter.