'Urgent' DAFM meeting sought on welfare, traceability protocols
The Irish Farming Association (IFA) has called for an urgent meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to discuss welfare and traceability protocols.
IFA’s animal health chair David Hall said the organisation wants to speak with DAFM's chief veterinary officer (Dr. June Fanning) about DAFM protocols to deal with alleged welfare and animal traceability breaches on farms.
“The videos we have seen online apparently showing how animals were euthanised on two farms last Friday, under Department of Agriculture supervision, are unacceptable and shocking,” he said.
“Whatever about the rights and wrongs of the particular case against the herd owner, which is a matter for the courts, there must be a better way of dealing with issues than we saw last Friday.
“There may be times where animals have to be euthanised, but there must be strict protocols around this.”
Videos have been shared on social media that allege to show cattle euthanised last week on a Roscommon farm. While the video was shared on Friday (July 10), the alleged incident is believed to have taken place the day beforehand.
DAFM
On Friday (July 10), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) confirmed to Agriland that an enforcement operation had been carried out in relation to animal welfare.
According to DAFM it carried out an enforcement operation on Thursday (July 9) "with support and assistance from An Garda Síochána".
The department has lead policy responsibility for animal welfare and said it "takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously".
"Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society.
"The department is committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner," it outlined.
DAFM has not provided any official details in relation to the latest enforcement operation.
