I condemn in the strongest possible terms any acts of cruelty to Irish livestock in the course of their transport to export markets or elsewhere and my concern that there be no maltreatment of exported animals has been conveyed to those involved in the export trade. The Department of Agriculture and Food has received a copy of the video in question and I condemn the scenes of cruelty depicted in it.
Because of pressure of other commitments I have indicated to Compassion in World Farming that I will be unable to meet it over the coming weeks but I have arranged for officials of my Department to meet it to discuss animal welfare issues.
My Department has been active at national and EU levels to improve the welfare of animals during transport. This demonstrates that Ireland, in its own right, and the European Union are committed to the better care and welfare of animals over which they exercise jurisdiction during transport within the EU and to third countries, and have demonstrated this commitment by a range of measures introduced over recent years. Improving the care and welfare of livestock and other animals, whether for export or otherwise, is an ongoing process to which Ireland and the other member states of the EU are fully committed.
Any individual or group in possession of specific information relating to alleged instances of cruelty to Irish cattle exported to the Lebanon or elsewhere, such as would facilitate or assist investigation, should make such information available to the Department to enable it to take whatever follow up action may be appropriate in the circumstances.