Sir, – The fact that an expert report found that journeys currently being endured by exported Irish calves would cause “severe hunger, suffering and very poor welfare for most calves, and will cause disease, injury and death for some” provides more evidence, as if any more were needed, that live exports from Ireland should be banned (“Unweaned calves being exported in breach of EU law, welfare group alleges”, News, August 11th). Reports that unweaned calves are being transported from Ireland to continental Europe, involving land and sea journeys which can exceed 24 hours without receiving water, milk or milk replacer, in breach of Irish and European law, should come as no surprise. Is the barbaric practice of live exports really a hallmark of a civilised state? One which separates calves from their mothers, causing massive distress to both, and subjects calves to torturous journeys by land and sea to sometimes jurisdictions with very poor animal welfare standards?
Live exports must be banned. – Yours, etc,
ROB SADLIER,
Rathfarnham,
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Dublin 16.