In light of the RTÉ Investigates programme, we wish to state that we abhor and condemn unequivocally any breach of animal welfare legislation. We would encourage anybody who has information about specific incidents or who was witness to any potential breach of the law to report it to the relevant authority, in this instance the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Ireland has an outstanding record when it comes to animal welfare. Farmers care about the welfare and wellbeing of the farm animals they rear. Farmers demand high standards of animal welfare on and off farm and strive to achieve high standards on a daily basis.

DAFM has announced that it is launching an investigation into the alleged breaches of animal welfare and we fully support this investigation.