Farmers unaware of ban on tail docking

The level of awareness by Irish farmers of legislation prohibiting the docking of the tails of animals has been criticised by EU officials.

An audit by European Commission health and food safety inspectors described knowledge of the ban as “low”, while they also expressed concern about non-compliance with the ban on tail docking.

However, the audit, which was carried out in February, on measures to ensure the welfare of cattle on Irish dairy farms, accepted the ongoing levels of illegal tail docking of cattle in Ireland were of “a low level”.