ISPCA calls for Irish dairy overhaul after RTÉ doc reveals 'beyond horrendous' abuses

An animal welfare charity is calling for "a complete reassessment" of Ireland's dairy model following the revelation of apparent animal cruelty in an RTÉ Investigates programme.

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has issued a statement of condemnation following the broadcast of RTÉ's 'Milking It: Dairy's Dirty Secret' programme on Monday July 10, which featured undercover footage from marts across the country.

The shocking documentary presented evidence of Irish animals being slapped, struck, kicked, and thrown mid-air, all of which are regarded as serious breaches of animal welfare.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has since confirmed intent to launch an investigation into the programme's revelations, with the ISPCA stating that any such investigation must be "robust and thorough" to show that "ill-treatment of animals will not be tolerated".

In a statement, the ISPCA said, "Some of the cruel handling filmed in Irish and European marts and shown on the programme was absolutely unacceptable, both morally and legally.

"We welcome the condemnation of this behaviour by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), and the commitment by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to launch an investigation into breaches of animal welfare regulations."

The ISPCA is calling for an overhaul of the dairy model in Ireland due to "the rapid and unsustainable expansion of the Irish dairy herd over recent years", which has resulted in an increase in the industry's waste product (male calves, which are of no use to the industry).

They stated: "The resultant treatment of these animals, as shown in the programme, is beyond horrendous."

The charity has also called on the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, and his officials to ensure all companies authorised by DAFM to transport livestock abroad are evaluated for compliance with transit regulations.

The ISPCA stated, "Any transport company, as well as any individuals, found to be in breach of regulations should be penalised robustly."

The statement continued: "In the first half of 2023, over 195,000 calves were exported from Ireland, up 20% from the same time period in 2022 and up 47% 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 RTE programme, a small open Island economy, such as Ireland, is far from being the exemplar that it should be."