Minister McConalogue initiates investigation following animal cruelty programme

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD has warned he will investigate and if necessary take appropriate action following revelations on the RTE Investigates programme 'Milking It: Dairy's Dirty Secret’ on Monday night of the mistreatment of animals in marts and those getting ready for export.

The programme was both disturbing and disappointing and left viewers shocked at the breaches in animal welfare regulations at several cattle marts on foot of undercover footage gathered by the RTÉ team. They captured footage of young calves being kicked, dragged, thrown, and hit using sticks in several marts around the country.

The minister was direct in his condemnation.

“I strongly condemn the shocking practices we saw on RTÉ Investigates tonight. They were certainly not reflective of the work that farmers put into managing their farm enterprises responsibly. Farmers care for their animals and would never want to see them mistreated. 

"As Minister, I have worked with stakeholders on a range of measures to improve calf welfare, and farmers and the industry are embracing these measures. 

"The footage shown by RTÉ represents the actions of a few. What we saw was utterly unacceptable, and in some instances, was unlawful.  

The Donegal TD added his department has requested RTÉ provide it with all of the footage available, and any other information it has, so that it can investigate the matter fully and take appropriate action.