There must be zero tolerance towards any form of cruelty to calves, IFA dairy chair Tom Phelan has said.

“If anybody has information of any abuse or cruelty by an individual or individuals, they must report it to the authorities. We expect the authorities to apply the full rigours of the law.”

Phelan said dairy farmers cared for all their animals, including calves. He added that farmers also adhered to the highest welfare standards.

Policy

The IFA has developed a dairy calf policy which sets out the responsibility for farmers, the industry, the Government and State agencies such as Teagasc and Bord Bia.

Phelan said the IFA had been working with all stakeholders to progress the policy's proposals.

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