Livestock-welfare vigilance is more necessary than ever

We also explore the contrasting management practices of calves in New Zealand. There, the early slaughter of non-economically viable calves is an accepted part of livestock management. In Ireland, there has been limited recourse to early calf slaughter, with increasing restrictions, including the imposition of a minimum age requirement from this year. Clearly, there is no appetite to allow early slaughter of calves to become an integral part of Irish livestock management. Whether logical or not, the general public’s attitude towards premature slaughter of newborn calves is negative and livestock producers cannot afford to ignore the increasingly assertive opinions of consumers. There is ever closer scrutiny of farming practices by media, regulatory authorities, and the general public. Lapses in animal welfare will not go unnoticed and we, as farmers, must do everything possible to meet the highest standards expected of us as primary carers of the animals on our farms. If that sounds somewhat sanctimonious, it is only a statement of fact. We can neither ignore nor condone any animal care, handling or transport practices off-farm which could fall short of the highest standards. Otherwise, we risk putting our livelihoods in jeopardy. Ignoring public opinion is an ostrich-like reaction which would not serve us well. We must be constantly aware that there are well-funded, anti-livestock farming advocates engaged in lobbying, producing sensationalist advertising and always ready to jump on any shortcoming in farmed livestock management. The timescale between the videoing of an animal-welfare infringement and the sharing of that video among thousands of viewers is a few seconds. Ultimately, it is not fear of exposure that motivates livestock owners. We take pride in our livestock welfare standards. By any measure, including low early morbidity in our calves, we are among the best livestock managers anywhere in the world. We have a positive story to tell and, apart from those who cannot accept farmed animals as a food source under any circumstances, there is a receptive audience among the public who appreciate our role as food producers, always provided that our standards around livestock management are exemplary and open to scrutiny.
Elsewhere this month, we interview the new leaders of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association. We wish Denis Drennan and Francie Gorman well in their endeavours on behalf of Irish farmers. We also express the hope for increasing cooperation among all farm organisations. Division and dissention would not serve us well as our food producers face significant headwinds in the years ahead.
We are delighted to announce that agri-food economist, Ciaran Fitzgerald, has joined the Irish Farmers Monthly team and will provide regular economic insights around the Irish and international agri-food sectors. Ciaran previously served as chair of Meat Industry Ireland for 12 years and is a staunch advocate for Irish food. In his first contribution for Irish Farmers Monthly, he explores the critical value of the Irish agri-food sector to the Irish rural and national economy. In recent years we have seen the contribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) – to Irish employment levels, corporation and other taxes as well as to our export figures – grow in almost exponential terms. It has been an entirely positive economic policy dating back more than 50 years, and long may it continue. That should not, as Ciaran emphasises, preclude us from safeguarding and promoting our agri-food sector as our largest, permanent, indigenous economic powerhouse.