The documentary exposes only a fraction of what happens to these animals. It’s exploitation and it’s cruel, there’s no other way to describe it. Animals feel, worry, and are aware when they’re on the slaughter line. Or when a calf is taken from her mother after a few days, the cries of the cow looking for her calf is awful.
CIARAN MORAN: The dairy sector is bracing itself for the fallout from an RTÉ documentary… which uncovered the mistreatment of young dairy calves at marts and investigated the controversial live calf export trade…
The RTÉ investigation, led by Prime Time presenter and former Agriculture Correspondent Fran McNulty, investigated what it described as the “underside” of Ireland’s dairy boom.
RTÉ broadcast footage that it said appeared to show serious breaches of animal welfare, with the footage showing slapping, striking and kicking of animals, all prohibited by law, as well as throwing them mid-air which is regarded as a serious breach of animal welfare….
The programme also examined the controversial live export of calves to be fattened on veal farms in mainland Europe. RTÉ said it follows a truck with Irish calves on its journey to Spain, claiming the animals had been on the road for 18.5 hours continuously, with only short breaks…
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Agriculture Claire Kerrane said a thorough investigation into what was shown on the programme was needed and called for a review of the practices and laws around live exports…
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher, who has been a staunch defender of Ireland’s live calf export trade, said he was disgusted and dismayed at the incidents of animal abuse in tonight’s RTÉ Investigates programme…
The airing of the show had been nervously anticipated by many in the dairy industry in recent weeks, with the treatment of calves a long-running concern within the sector in the wake of a huge expansion in cow numbers since 2015…
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said he strongly condemned what he described as ‘the shocking practices’ seen on the programme and said they were certainly not reflective of the care that Irish farmers provide for their animals.
“A Department of Agriculture Investigation has already commenced and will be vigorously pursued,” he said.
ICMSA President Pat McCormack said that, in common with every other viewer, he and his members found the issues and footage addressed in the programme to be disturbing and disappointing. Mr McCormack that that the clear laws and regulations set out around the question of animal welfare must be enforced and sanctions – up to and including prosecution – must follow where clear evidence was present. SOURCE…
STEPHEN FERNANE: A Kerry animal rights activist has blasted what he calls the ‘exploitation and cruel treatment’ of young dairy calves highlighted in the recent RTÉ Investigates documentary – ‘Dairy’s Dirty Secret’.
Ted Cronin – a member of Sentient Rights Ireland (SRI) and former election candidate for Tralee Municipal District – said RTÉ’s programme exposed the cruelty of animals who are victims of the food chain.
The documentary shows calves being aggressively handled at marts, something Mr Cronin said was ‘difficult to watch’ and left him feeling ‘totally disgusted’…
Sentient Rights Ireland want an end to live exporting of cattle – an aspect of Irish agriculture that sees cattle being exported across Europe and North Africa prior to facing slaughter.
SRI believe all animals have feelings and are conscious of pain and fear. SRI insist animals should be given a life free of exploitation and abuse.
“That RTE programme only underlines our campaign for an outright ban on all animal exports. It’s happened in other countries,” he said.
“It’s exploitation and it’s cruel, there’s no other way to describe it. A lot of countries where cattle are shipped to have no regulations on animal rights. The slaughterhouses are inhumane,” he said…
“Animals feel, worry, and are aware when they’re on the slaughter line. Or when a calf is taken from its mother after a few days, the cries of the cow looking for its calf is awful. That RTÉ programme only exposes a fraction of what happens these animals,” he added.
Lastly, Mr Cronin insists that SRI is gaining in public support as more people are transitioning to vegan and plant-based diets for reasons related to the mistreatment of animals. The party hope is that this will translate into electoral support.
“We are a new party and the only animal rights party in Ireland. There is already good support for us in Kerry. Hopefully, this is something we can build on in time for next year’s local elections,” Mr Cronin said. SOURCE…
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