Vets fear threat of “wild” livestock
The Irish Veterinary Association (IVA) is expected to seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture immediately after the formation of the Government, to discuss the implications of immobilisers not being available to vets for large animal procedures from September 1.
The Department of Agriculture has announced that their use will become illegal 10 weeks from now. The equipment will however continue to be legal in Northern Ireland, Scotland and several other European countries.
A motion opposing the ban, on health and safety grounds, was passed at the AGM of the IVA last November. It is understood that discussions subsequently took place between the IVA and Department of Agriculture. However it is understood that the IVA did not make a formal submission to the Department of Agriculture during the relevant period for interested parties to make their views known, prior to drafting of the ban legislation.
Co Cork based vet Ms Mairead Pigott said, “It is a health and safety issue. It is also a welfare issue, because vets and farmers see that the effect of the ban is going to cause a lot more stress for the animals, the farmers and the vets.”
“It is a totally stupid decision that does not make any sense, and it is going to be a life or death situation dealing with difficult animals on many farms.”
“Try castrating a wild animal without using the immobiliser, and vets will be taking their life in their hands. I am talking to a lot of vets, and they just don’t know what they are going to do, risk serious injury in dealing with these animals, or risk breaking the law.”
“There is a lot more part-time farming, and animals are not as easily handled. We are just going to be taking our lives in our own hands because of a stupid decision that does not stand up scientifically,” she said.
She said that sedation is not a solution, and can lead to animal losses. “Using 2 cc will be very effective with one animal and have no effect whatever with another.” Animal would need close observation for at least 24 hours because of the possible after-effects of sedation. “Try using sedation to castrate a wild animal, and they fall down in the crush and you cannot operate on them, what are you to do? This is going to be a serious problem in all parts of the country. I believe it will be particularly difficult in the west of Ireland where there are smaller farms, more part time farming, suckler herds and often inadequate handling facilities on farms”, she said.
