The rapid and unsustainable expansion of the Irish dairy herd in recent years has peaked and thankfully numbers are now falling, but the expanded national herd has resulted in an increase in the industry’s waste product, i.e. male calves which are of no use to the industry, with over 200,000 calves being expected this year. Records suggest that 2024 is set to be a record year for live exports from Ireland with the total number of cattle exported so far this year up 8% on the equivalent figure from last year.
The ISPCA believes that the conditions that young Irish cattle are subjected to during export is damaging to the reputation of the Irish dairy industry, and the reputation of the country generally. The best answer is to cease live export entirely, with full rearing and slaughter taking place in the island of Ireland. The UK has just, in May 2024, introduced a ban on live export of animals: Ireland should follow suit.
Other measures are also possible. More widespread utilisation of sexed semen would also help, by increasing the proportion of female to male dairy calves. This is a change that has been happening: there has been a tripling in the use of sexed semen for AI in the past three years, now making up 20% of all AI events. Further expansion of this would be helpful.
Meanwhile full and thorough implementation of EU regulations on animal transport is essential, along with immediate cessation of export of calves originally from Ireland to countries outside the EU (such as the middle east, the far east and Africa) where animal welfare regulations do not apply, and Irish animals have no protection.
In addition to the concerns associated with long distance transport to countries with lower animal welfare standards, the programme also depicted likely contraventions of animal welfare regulations here in Ireland. Some animals were clearly not fit for transport and calves were handled in an unacceptable manner.
We call on the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue and his officials to ensure that any such breaches are thoroughly and robustly investigated.
If you missed RTE’s Prime Time investigates on 8th October 2024, highlighting the treatment of Irish Bull calves who are exported live by land, sea and air, you can watch it back on RTE player here: