EU audit shows some dairy farmers unaware tail docking banned here since 2003

Measures are in place to ensure cattle on Irish dairy farms are not caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury, concluded EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) inspectors after their audit in Ireland last February.

However, they found that awareness of the prohibition of tail docking (mutilations) was low, and there was a continuing, albeit low level, of noncompliance with this requirement.

As a result, the Department of Agriculture has indicated that it intends to increase efforts to reduce tail docking non-compliance.