Farmers warn of 'welfare crisis' as new, stricter stocking rates confirmed

Denis Drennan on his farm in Madoxtown, Co Kilkenny. Pic: Dylan Vaughan.

Dairy farmers have warned of an impending animal welfare crisis if they are forced to cull heavily pregnant cows to meet new, stricter stocking rates that are seemingly set in stone.

It comes as most of Ireland remains included in the new, stricter nitrates limits, outlined in the final implementation map published by the Department of Agriculture on Tuesday evening.