Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Martin Kenny TD has expressed his concern at the animal mistreatment contained in last night’s Prime Time Investigates programme. The programme followed the transport of livestock from Ireland across Europe, eventually entering the Israeli food chain.

Teachta Kenny said: 

“I want to be clear, farmers don’t treat their animals like this. Farmers care very much for their animals and the welfare of their animals. 

“Live cattle exports create competition in the market which helps deliver a better price for cattle. 

“There is a particular difficulty with bull calves from the dairy sector and alternative solutions need to be found to get a decent return for farmers in this sector. 

“What we also saw last night were huge failures in EU oversight when it comes to the transport and treatment of animals. If we really are one market, where was the enforcement of animal health and welfare regulations for the livestock when they arrived in Poland and Romania?

“It also goes without saying that I find it absolutely deplorable that Irish animals are ending up in the Israeli food chain. A country responsible for imposing a famine on the people of Gaza.”