IFA uses Cows as props for media stunt

dublin | animal rights | news report

Wednesday February 27, 2008 13:14

by Laura Broxson - National Animal Rights Association

naracampaigns at gmail dot com

PO Box 11019, Dublin 2

CONTACT THE IFA TO COMPLAIN NOW!

Hi,

Yesterday, whilst out leafleting, we happened upon a protest organised by the IFA (Irish Farmers Association) outside the EU Commission offices on Molesworth Street.

As part of their protest (which was to highlight apparent ''dangers'' to the future of the beef industry) a number of live cows were used. Cows clearly don't belong in Dublin, let alone at a noisy protest (amplified sound was used). I personally witnessed the cows being pulled and dragged out of their trailers, and they were then tied (by the head and neck) to the outside of the trailers.

No water was provided for the animals (not that they could have moved their necks to reach down for a drink anyway!!!), which defies the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 - where it states that any animal that is confined must be provided with suitable food and water. It also goes without saying that by being forced to participate in the event, these animals were subjected to mental, physical and emotional distress.

We made a number of complaints to the ISPCA , the DSPCA and the Gardai at Pearse Street at the time regarding the matter - but to no avail.

So we are asking that everyone please make a complaint to the IFA:

You can comment on their protest here: http://www.ifa.ie/default.asp?com=ifa&org=&ACT=12&id=62

Submit a query here: http://www.ifa.ie/query.htm

Or email: postmaster@ifa.ie, kerry@ifa.ie, galway@ifa.ie, tipperary@ifa.ie, roscommon@ifa.ie, donegal@ifa.ie, wexford@ifa.ie, cork@ifa.ie, kilkenny@ifa.ie, offaly@ifa.ie, limerick@ifa.ie, monaghan@ifa.ie, kells@ifa.ie, mail@ifabrussels.be

We are also asking that people register complaints, and ask for appropriate action to be taken against the IFA, with:

ISPCA: info@ispca.ie
DSPCA: info@dspca.ie

Gardai: Sgt. Paul Dolan,
Pearse Street Garda Station,
Pearse Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.

Thank you for your support.

Laura Broxson
National Animal Rights Association

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Comments (6 of 6)

A Passing Comment

by Mr Man

Thu Aug 21, 2008 20:29

"have to degrade them as well in this blatantly sexist way."

A classic case of anthropomorphosis. How are they degraded? Do they feel shame/self-conciousness/existencial problems? If one could superimpose human values on cows, I would think they would be happy at getting groomed and well cared for.

Not really sure how its sexist either. Seriously stretching it. Is your logic that beauty contests for women=sexist therefore beauty contests for cows=sexist? Or is it because they don't allow bulls to compete?

And in reference to the Protection of Animals Act, 1911 mentioned in the original article I'm not sure if the Act would apply as it need only be provided with "sufficient quantity of wholesome and suitable food and water" of which the farmer could argue it had already been supplied with food and water sufficient to its needs ie. it is not detrimental to it's health. It is not required to have food and water available to the animal at all times while impounded. Further to this, it is only deemed absolutely vital to supply food and water after 6 hours of impounding, after which anyone can legally provide the animal with food and water and demand reasonable renumeration afterward from the owner.

This is supposed to be funny?

by John and Megan Dempsey

Thu Aug 21, 2008 15:01

Now the dairy industry is trying to make a joke out of the animals they abuse ; of course RTE goes along with the so-called joke. Bailey's is sponsoring a beauty contest for cows in Virginia Co. CAvan "with marks going for shapely legs, a good-shaped back and nice udders " . It seems that the event organizers , not content with being exploitative of animals , have to degrade them as well in this blatantly sexist way.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0820/cows.html

anti-abuse full stop

by Catlady

Thu Feb 28, 2008 21:58

If you read who posted this you would see it was the NARA. It's written clearly at the top. NARA is not anti-farmer, to the best of my understanding. I, like msot ethical vegans, love farmers... hell it's the farmers who grow my lentils, rice, soya, carrots, spuds etc...!

This is of course an anti-cruelty peice. And as the poster above has pointed out, if they are willing to do this to sentient beings in public, God knows what goes on behind barn doors, so to speak. Farmers have already admitted to beating dairy cows which is documented here on indymedia.

In France a number of years ago sheep farmers set live sheep on fire in public as part of a protest against something or other which meant they were making less blood money - same attitude, different location.

Yay for tillage farmers (at least the ethical ones who don't poison crows, shoot rabbits etc) and Boo to all those who get fat off blood moneyt and suffering. They are no better than pimps or child pornographers as far as I'm concerned. They all profit from the abuse of others.

Charles B

by pat c

Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:57

I note that you make no reference to the way farmers have abused animals in the centre of Dublin. If this is the way they carry on in public it makes me wonder as to how they treat the animals on the farms. Yes, most of those animals will end up being eaten but that does not mean that they should be treated cruely while they are alive.

The primitive savagery displayed during IFA protests must be stopped.

Clarification.

by Charles B.

Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:41

Is this an anti animal cruelty piece, or an anti farmer piece?
Did you know that they usually kill the animals once they have fattened them up?? For food!!

Not the first time.

by pat c - Anti Farmer Action

Wed Feb 27, 2008 16:41

On previous demos farmers have abused animals.Once they tried to force a terrified sheep through the railings of Leinster House. During another protest they threw a sheep at a receptionist in the Department of Agriculture. Funnily enough these thugs weren't charged with either assault or cruelty to animals.

On yet another one of their barbarian style descents on Dublin they flooded the city centre with manure smeared tractors. Many of these tractors had no tax discs or the discs were out of date but the gardai took no action.

If you see farmers abusing animals then report it to the gardai, phone the Joe Duffy show, make a fuss! Dont let the farmers away with savagery.

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IFA uses Cows as props for media stunt

Comments (6 of 6)