Farmers Claims Are for the Birds

THE farmer-led opposition to the reintroduction of the White- Tailed Sea Eagle to the countryside exposes them to the charge they are anti-conservation.

For years, the farming lobby has claimed that without their conservation efforts, the countryside would disappear because the very existence of flora and fauna was dependent on farmers getting out of bed in the morning.

Farmers would like to portray themselves as guardians of the countryside, tuning into Mother Earth’s frequency as they use their special powers when it comes to dealing with animals.

They are spending too much time inhaling slurry-tank fumes if they believe that.

If we left the protection of the environment and animals to farmers, we would end up with a countryside devoid of wildlife, covered in concrete and with rivers and streams reeking of pollution.

The newfound concern for sheep welfare among Kerry farmers masks the fact that animal welfare standards are less than ideal on farms.

A weekly trawl through the national and local newspapers will show many court cases of cruelty to farm animals and news reports of neglect.

Never forget, farmers are in the animal-production industry, not the animal-welfare industry. They only look after their beasts provided they add to their income.

Of course, there are farmers who possibly look after their livestock better than themselves, but for many, welfare is an alien costly concept on their factory farms.

Apart from direct abuse, farmers inch towards promoting it by their involvement in the live animal export trade, allowing hunting to take place on their land and their lack of long-term thinking when it comes to environmental protection. The issue of the white- tailed sea eagle is a case in point.

Anybody, regardless of their postal address, is entitled to comment on farming and its role in society. The spotlight of truth is shining on the farm gate.

Farmers, and organisations that represent them, need to accept that. The eagle-eye is watching, in more ways than one.

JOHN TIERNEY, Dublin 1.

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