Secret Cameras Expose Calves Being Tortured At Cattle Export Facility

Secret cameras have captured disturbing visuals of Irish bull calves being tortured at a cattle export facility in Kerry.

The footage, which was recorded in March at Hallissey Livestock Exports near Killarney, shows calves being hit in the face, dragged by their ears and tails, and force-fed. It was shared as part of an RTÉ Investigates report that aired on Prime Time.

Animal welfare expert Dr Simon Doherty of Queen’s University Belfast described the calves’ treatment as cruel.

He said that footage of calves being kicked, slapped, and stabbed with tools is inappropriate. Doherty believes that the handling of animals should be gentle and supportive rather than aggressive.

The footage also showed dead calves being left in a pile outside in the rain, raising serious concerns about transmission of diseases.

Dr. Doherty stated that some of the calves seemed to have been dead for weeks, with their bodies decaying in the open air. He warned that this might risk the health of other animals nearby.

The investigation follows a similar one conducted in July 2023, which exposed the mistreatment of Irish calves during live export. After the incident, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar criticized the conduct as “repugnant” and demanded a thorough inquiry.

Denis Drennan, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), saw the new footage and expressed his disappointment. He said that scenes of calves being beaten with sticks and made to travel while unfit are completely illegal and unacceptable.

The footage shows two calves being force-fed with stomach tubes. Drennan questioned why such sick calves were in the facility at all, saying they should never have been allowed to travel. He said that it is clearly mentioned in the regulations that animals unfit for travel should not be moved.

Hallissey Livestock Exports reacted to the footage through a solicitor, saying that they provide a valuable service to farmers and always try to adhere to animal welfare standards. They also stated that the Department of Agriculture regulates their company.

Despite these claims, the footage has raised new concerns about how Irish calves are treated before being exported. Per Ethical Farming Ireland, over 183,000 calves under six weeks old were exported from Ireland to Europe in 2023.

The RTÉ Investigates, Live Exports: On the Hoof, was aired on October 8, 2024.

Reference: RTE

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