Electro-immobilisation to be banned

A BAN on the use of electro-immobilisation on farm animals will come into force on September 1, following the adoption of the necessary legislation by Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

The procedure is used to control aggressive animals for veterinary treatment, but Ms Coughlan said yesterday there was broad agreement it should be prohibited following examination by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Animal Health and Welfare.

She said she had decided to introduce the ban from September 1 rather than from June 1 to allow a further period of time for farmers to carry out procedures on animals that are already on farms where interventions may be necessary.