Renewed calls for a new Crown agency to handle animal welfare complaints - after a farmer who beat cows with a metal rod escaped with just a fine

Whangerei farm manager Michael Luke was fined just over three thousand dollars for failing to minimise pain and distress.

Animal rights group FarmWatch had hidden camera footage of Luke beating the cows - but it was deemed unlawful by the Court.

SAFE CEO Debra Ashton told Chris Lynch the decision was really disappointing - especially because MPI had earlier checked out the claims.

She says it's clear MPI has a bias towards growing exports - and animal welfare investigations should be independent of that.