Activists call for ban of pig sector after releasing video
Animal rights activists are calling for a ban on the pig sector after releasing a video which they claim show instances of animal cruelty at a number of County Cavan farms.
The distressing footage was compiled by The National Animal Rights Association (NARA) and Animal Rebellion Ireland (ARI) and is publicly available to view online.
The Anglo-Celt has sought responses from the Department of Agriculture to confirm they have visited the sites of the alleged abuses and provide a timeframe for when their investigations will be complete. The Department has confirmed receipt of the query but has yet to respond.
The videos show footage which the makers claim were shot in four farms in County Cavan, which is a key contributor to the sector. The distressing images show animals exposed to conditions, some of which the makers say are legal and others illegal. Some animals display open sores, some with injuries to ears, others appear dead or dying. Some of the scenes show animals kept in apparently unhygienic conditions.
Deputy Paul Murphy has been outspoken on pig welfare and in light of this latest NARA/ARI video shared a post on Instagram reading: "I have submitted Bill to ban teeth-clipping, tail-docking and castration as well as prohibiting sow stalls and farrowing crates that don't allow sows to turn around."
Spokesperson for the National Animal Rights Association, Laura Broxson noted the proposed legislation by Deputy Murphy and added: "This would be a great first step if passed, but we really need the entire industry abolished. Much like fur farming, there is no way to make it ok.
"Animals are not ours to use, abuse or consume and we are fortunate that in Ireland, we can easily make kinder choices by adopting a vegan diet.”
This is the second such film made by the animal rights groups, following a video released in March 2024 purporting to show similar conditions in two Irish piggeries.
In October 2024 Deputy Paul Murphy tabled a Parliamentary Question on the outcome of the Department's investigation. The then Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue confirmed investigation had been commenced.
"Enforcement actions as considered necessary and appropriate were taken. The matter is still subject to on-going review and investigation," the minister responded.