Ireland has a good reputation for food safety and animal welfare, which must be protected as we service markets throughout the world. That said, the experience of farmers on the ground suggests that the cost of compliance and the time and trouble taken to comply falls mainly on farmers.

Last week, we had a leftover bull from our former young bull beef enterprise. He had contracted an infection in his leg, which meant lameness and loss of condition. We nursed him along in a paddock and gradually he improved.

We contacted our regular local factory who, because of their large international business, do not take in casualty cattle

While all his comrades had gone six months ago, he slowly regained his strength and mobility under the constant supervision of our vet. Last week, we decided he was well enough to go for routine slaughter. We contacted our regular local factory who, because of their large international business, do not take in casualty cattle – even ones with an accidental broken leg but otherwise perfectly healthy with excellent meat.

These are deemed unfit for transport on animal welfare grounds and have to be slaughtered on-farm. But it’s both difficult to get animals slaughtered humanely on-farm and be paid reasonably for them. Our local factory used to do both, but doesn’t anymore, as they tell me their international customers have banned meat from such animals.

Thank goodness for the modern mobile phone

So we had no option but to wait until my bull had fully recovered. When he reached that stage, the factory wanted a video of him to demonstrate that he could walk on all fours, as well as a close-up photograph to show there were no serious physical blemishes. Thank goodness for the modern mobile phone.

Finally, we had to have him brought to the factory, accompanied by a certificate from our vet. After all that, he was deemed fit to undergo the normal pre- and post-mortem checks by the Department vets in the factory. There is no doubt he died in debt from my point of view.

Surely, there must be an easier, less expensive way of dealing with casualty stock and sick animals that recover?

In the end, the factory gave what I considered a fair price for an aged bull, but what a saga of trouble and expense. Surely, there must be an easier, less expensive way of dealing with casualty stock and sick animals that recover? To have the local hunt put them down to feed the hounds is both costly to farmers and a waste.