Ireland’s new Animal Welfare Strategy, launched today (Tuesday, November 3) sets out a series of measures to strengthen welfare standards, tighten enforcement and improve governance across the sector.

The strategy launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, also aims to improve public awareness, support research and innovation and enhance collaboration.

Ireland's first Animal Welfare Strategy ran from 2021-2025 and the minister had previously faced questions as to why a follow up strategy had not been launched earlier this year.

According to the Minister Heydon, around 1,000 staff in his department have been designated as authorised officers who can carry out animal welfare inspections across the country.

The new Animal Welfare Strategy, which will run until 2030, will revolve around five key principles including to:

Promote high standards of welfare for animals;
Strengthen enforcement and governance; 
Improve public awareness and support education;
Support innovation and research;
Collaborate with key partners. 

The strategy also sets out a number of "actions" that will be taken to achieve high standards of welfare for animals.

These include measures to strengthen animal welfare across transport, farming and domestic ownership.

Some of these measures will include continued support offered to Teagasc to "advance development of an in-vehicle calf feeding system".

There will also be "support actions to improve livestock welfare by exploring options to enhance housing and rearing infrastructure".

In addition to this there is a pledge to "continue to closely engage with farm animal stakeholders through existing forums" and "remain in close engagement with EU colleagues on key animal welfare developments".

The new strategy also details that DAFM will continue to "work closely with and collaborate" with An Garda Síochána regarding animal welfare issues.

It emphasises that there will be a focus on "responsible pet ownership, dog control, sheep worrying and management of livestock and companion animals during extreme weather events".

Minister Heydon said: "As a nation, Ireland has a deep-rooted sense of empathy and responsibility towards animals.

Animal welfare

The minister said the ambition is "to continue improving animal welfare standards through science and evidence-led policymaking, effective legislation, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness".

"While legislation and enforcement are essential, all of us have a role to play in good animal welfare – that includes responsible ownership and speaking up when we see an animal in distress," he added.