Dear Ministry for Primary Industries,

Research Flock Saudi Arabia Bound:
The minister made the following statements:
New Zealand will export a research flock of sheep to Saudi Arabia this year under a breeding project aimed at bolstering the kingdom’s livestock supplies, according to the National. Pregnant ewes and lamb will be shipped by air freight. Some will be cross-bred with Awassi, a fat-tailed sheep breed found in Saudi Arabia.
“We will monitor which breeds perform best in the climatic conditions here,” Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy said.

Please provide answers to the following.
What is the objectives of the research,
what is the cost of this research to New Zealand,
who is carrying out the research and what are their qualifications,
does the research involve Saudi researchers and if so whom (resources, cost, effort),
how much is being contributed to the research by Saudi partners (resources, cost, effort)
where is the research being being conducted, is any being carried out in NZ or in another country other than Saudi Arabia,
what breeds are being tested
please provide the detailed research methodology,
please provide copies of applicable animal ethics approvals,
please provide copies of any peer reviews (noting that it appears some review came from NZTE)
and what have been the results to date.
What other research was or is planned to be carried in the future?

Yours faithfully,

A Baxter