Calls have been made to ban the export of live animals after an RTÉ investigates program aired last night uncovered gross mistreatment of calves.
The report revealed instances of abuse against some of the 100s of thousands of “low value” male calves who are exported to the continent in many cases to be used for veal.
An investigation has been launched by the Dept of Agriculture into alleged animal abuses at Irish marts. The probe will focus on footage obtained by RTÉ Investigates for a programme on the expansion of the diary sector to be aired on RTÉ One tonight | https://t.co/VbwX2pbQ79 pic.twitter.com/vcaYtGzmQG
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 10, 2023
In reaction to the programme, Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, said “I strongly condemn the shocking practices we saw on #RTÉInvestigates tonight,” adding that these “were certainly not reflective of the care that Irish farmers provide for their animals.”
The Minister said that a Department of Agriculture investigation had already commenced and would be “vigorously pursued,”
The ICMSA, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, said that the cruel treatment of the animals captured by RTÉ does not reflect the actions of over 18,000 dairy farmers it represents, instead laying the blame with “individuals”.
No bull calf has ever been exported, sold for veal or euthanatised on farm in the 70 years we’ve been farming at Kilsunny
The bulls are regularly shown on social media, with their life followed from birth to when they’re sold for breeding at 12-18 months#rtept #RTEInvestigates pic.twitter.com/xLDRXau2B2
— Kilsunny Herd (@Kilsunny_Herd) July 10, 2023
President Pat McCormick said the ICMSA found the images ‘disturbing and disappointing’
The Irish Farmers’ Journal reports McCormick saying that the “blame and culpability for the mistreatment lies absolutely with the individuals involved and those supervisors who may have had knowledge of these cruel practices but who fail to act,”
He added that the organisation and farmers in general rejected suggestions that cruelty of the nature seen in the program was either widespread or a norm.
TD Paul Murphy called for the Dáil to “debate the scandal” of the calves’ treatment before it rises for the summer recess saying that live exports should be banned.
The People Before Profit TD said he had written asking for a debate to be added to the Dáil’s agenda.
“I have written to the Dail Business Committee seeking an urgent debate this week on the Dairy Industry in light of the horrific treatment of dairy bull calves shown on #RTEInvestigates last night,” he said.
Saying that the “perception” of Irish agriculture abroad is what “makes it so valuable”, TD Holly Cairns said, “What we saw tonight is shameful and should be a watershed moment in moving away from this failed policy approach,”