The trade in and export of live animals is a private commercial activity which is regulated by the Department of Agriculture in accordance with EU and national regulations, the Department of Agriculture has said.

The statement comes on the back of an investigation by Dutch public service broadcaster NOS, which claimed that bull calves being exported to the Netherlands from Ireland were “deprived of water for approximately 24 hours”.

The Department of Agriculture takes the issue of animal welfare most seriously, a spokesperson for the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal.

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“The Department provides mutual assistance when appropriate to the competent authorities in other member states when non-compliance issues arise involving live animals transported out of Ireland.

Data

“Independent data on the health and welfare of Irish calves shows that they have significantly lower mortality and lower antibiotic usage compared to calves transported from other member states indicating that they arrive in good condition to other member states,” it said.

In order to improve welfare standards for calves during long transports to Europe, the Department said that it has provided financial assistance to Teagasc in recent years to conduct scientific trials on developing an in-vehicle calf milk feeding system.

“The Department and Teagasc are hopeful this research can be brought to a successful pilot stage in early 2027,” the spokesperson said.