Federated Farmers is happy with the potential exportation of 5300 live cows to China, despite it involving a controversial businessman.

Saudi businessman Sheik Hamood Al-Ali Al-Khalaf has made the order - the same person behind the controversial Saudi sheep deal with the government.

In 2003, thousands of sheep died on board one of his ships, which led to the banning of live exports for slaughter.

Federated Farmers said it's fine with the deal, saying it's not opposed to such deals as long as rigorous animal welfare standards are imposed.

Livestock is regularly exported for breeding purposes, and this is no different from any others in recent years, they explained.