Distorted presentation of cattle death stats damages image and profession of farming

THE way statistics on cattle deaths were presented in the End of Year Review has seriously undermined the credibility of the Department of Agriculture’s understanding of the practicalities of farming.

Their "discovery" of mortality figures in the Cattle Movement Monitoring System 2002 report, has been received with disbelief by farmers, who feel they have been seriously insulted, and that the distorted and out of context use of the statistics has damaged the image and profession of farming.

With the rare exceptions which can be found in every profession, farmers go to endless lengths to save the life of every animal entrusted to their care.