Brussels, 28/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - The EU's food and veterinary office (FVO) says in a report published on Wednesday 27 July that measures in place in Ireland generally ensure the welfare of cattle on dairy farms.
FVO experts carried out an audit in Ireland from 15 February to 22 February 2016. The aim of the audit was to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of the measures in place to ensure that cattle on dairy farms are not caused any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. The report concludes that the measures in place generally ensure the welfare of cattle on dairy farms. Common actions are being implemented by the farming community with improving trends in the majority of welfare indicators, say the FVO experts. This is particularly the case where actions are being addressed by several actors from the industry, such as the prevention of mastitis.
The report makes a single recommendation to the competent authority, aimed at ensuring the ban on tail-docking of cows is properly respected.
In 2015, there were 17,500 dairy farms in Ireland, with an average herd size of 64 cows - approximately 1.1 million dairy cows. Average milk production per cow increased from 3,500 litres to 5,200 litres over this period, according to figures published in the FVO report. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)