A delegation from the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has met with officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on livestock welfare and traceability issues.

The meeting followed the circulation of online videos last week showing animals being euthanised on farms in the west of the country.

The methods by which the animals were handled and killed sparked a strong reaction from the IFA and others.

IFA animal health chairperson David Hall described what was seen in these videos as "unacceptable".

The IFA requested a meeting with DAFM on the issue, and has now said it did meet with officials in charge of animal welfare and investigations, about department protocols to deal with alleged animal welfare and traceability breaches on farms.

Hall, who led to the IFA delegation, claimed after the meeting that "it was very apparent" the department "does not have any clear guidance for [its] officials on the ground".

He also claimed that department staff who enforce welfare and traceability regulations on the ground "do not appear to be provided with the equipment and resources needed to carry out these functions in a professional and competent manner".

"The department officials [that the IFA met with] listened to the points we raised and we expect them to revert with a formal response this week," Hall said.

The IFA said it has also written to the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council looking for an urgent meeting to be convened to address the issues.

The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council has responsibility to advise the department and the minister on animal welfare issue.

The council is made up of representatives from the IFA, other farm organisations, Veterinary Ireland, and a number of other bodies.

Hall clarified that the meeting with DAFM did not discuss any of the details of any particular animal welfare or traceability issues, and that issues raised by the IFA relate to protocols DAFM have in place to deal with cases where animals have to be removed from a farm.

"We all understand that there may be times when animals have to be euthanised by the state, but there must be strict protocols around this, and these must be developed as a matter of urgency," the IFA animal health chair said.

"We can never have a repeat of what we have seen circulating last week," he added.