The Department of Agriculture carried out 1,474 inspections across the country this year – with the highest proportion (237) in Cork.

Cork has the highest number of farms in Ireland, so it follows that the county would have the highest number of inspections.

The county with the second-highest number of inspections was Galway (139) – which has the highest number of suckler cows in the country.

Overall, there has been a 35% decrease in animal welfare inspections since 2018, a year when inspections increased following welfare concerns after successive storms and fodder worries on farms.

Issues that inspectors look for on farms include the docking of cow tails, the use of electric cattle prods, or the use of ‘barren’ cages for laying hens.

The five highest number of inspections per county in 2020 were:

  • Cork – 237
  • Galway – 129
  • Mayo - 95
  • Kerry – 92
  • Limerick – 86

    • The courts have the power to disqualify people from owning or working with animals if they are found to be in breach of animal welfare legislation.

    There were seven convictions for animal welfare breaches in 2018, four in 2019 and four in 2020.