Cork Marts, which operates six marts in Munster including Bandon and Cahir, both of which featured in the RTÉ Investigates programme said that it was ‘very disappointed at the behaviour towards calves shown in the footage’.“These actions shown are certainly not acceptable and cannot be defended,” a spokesperson said. They added that it was contrary to the mart’s animal-welfare policy, which states that each of its six sales centres is ‘expected to abide by up-to-date animal-welfare guidelines’.“We handle approximately 70,000 calves for sale during the short calf season from February to May. We have designated separate calf sale days at some of our centres in order to provide better accommodation and afford more attention to the calves. Our staff undergo animal welfare and animal handling training as part of their induction and every three years thereafter,” the spokesperson said, adding that mishandling or mistreatment of livestock, particularly calves, is certainly not acceptable.“We will fully cooperate with the DAFM investigation. We will review the clips shown and address these with all staff. While it is not exactly clear from the footage we will try to determine the dates and times of the incidents shown, and identify staff and third parties involved.” The spokesperson said there would have to be a review of calf-handling operations, and all actions deemed necessary to protect the welfare of the animals will be taken.
Castleisland Mart, which also featured said it ‘condemns any instances of cruelty to animals’ such as those featured in the RTÉ documentary.
“Some of these occurrences that can be seen are unacceptable. These instances are no way representative of the required high standards and values that are observed and practised by our mart and by farmers all over Ireland who are compassionate and caring for their livestock,” a spokesperson said. They added: “We will review the clips shown and address these serious issues with all staff which will at a minimum involve further animal-welfare training and awareness.
“We welcome an investigation into any alleged incidences of animal cruelty by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and we will support the investigation in relation to these matters.” Gortatlea and Kanturk marts were also contacted by Irish Farmers Monthly for comment.
ReassessmentThe Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is calling for acomplete reassessment of the dairy model in Ireland following the documentary. “In the first half of 2023, over 195,000 calves were exported from Ireland, up 20 per cent from the same time period in 2022 and up 47 per cent from the same time period in 2021. “The ISPCA believes that the treatment of many Irish calves, both in Ireland and during transport abroad, is damaging to the reputation of the Irish dairy industry, and the reputation of the country generally. Based on the evidence in the RTÉ programme, asmall open Island economy, such as Ireland, is far from being the exemplar that it should be.”