Animal welfare alert scheme set up
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh announced yesterday he has accepted the recommendation of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC).
The system will involve collaboration between the Department of Agriculture and Food, the IFA and the ISPCA in identifying and addressing potential cases where the welfare of farm animals is compromised.
He said FAWAC, which he established in 2002, had recognised the need to have structures in place to address problem cases.
These structures would draw on the sense of community and care for the well-being of people and animals.
“The objective is to provide a framework within which problems can be spotted before they become critical or overwhelming,” he said.
“This will in turn facilitate timely, effective and sensitive intervention or the provision of assistance by, as appropriate, public agencies, neighbours and farming bodies and welfare groups.”
Mr Walsh said there may be hesitancy by neighbours in coming forward for fear of the consequences for the person concerned.
“The new system will allow for concerned individuals to approach their local IFA representatives, ISPCA or indeed the department in the knowledge that the matter will be dealt with in the most effective, timely and sensitive manner.”
Mr Walsh added he was satisfied most animals were well cared for.
“The most important thing any of us can do is to try and spot the difficulties at an early stage and do what is necessary, in conjunction with the farmer, to help alleviate the situation to the extent that we can.”
Mr Walsh said he supported calls for any farmer who might have an emerging problem to seek outside assistance.
