Cattle farms, factories and the Department of Agriculture are to be audited this year by the European Commission in relation to animal welfare reporting.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the scope of the audit will also include pig and broiler farms and the use of animal welfare rules in assessing both farm standards and Department controls.

Government programmes which fund better animal welfare and cross-compliance rules are also set to be audited

The Commission’s audit will examine the suitability of rules used, including programmes such as quality assurance schemes.

Government programmes which fund better animal welfare and cross-compliance rules are also set to be audited.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the audit aims to find out whether policy objectives, rules and analysis are used to inform future actions to improve animal welfare.

The audit will also gauge the reliability, and relevance, of reporting of official rules regarding animal welfare on farms and whether this allows authorities at different levels to have a clear picture of the animal welfare situation.

Disease management

Irish agriculture will also be audited on the overall management of animal diseases, including surveillance, testing, reporting and notification to the Department.

Brazilian audits

There will also be a number of audits carried out by the EU in Brazil and Argentina next year in relation to food safety.

Brazil will be audited for animal health, specifically regarding foot and mouth disease and poultry exports, while Argentina will be audited for food safety from products from mammals

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