Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not think anybody thinks mistreatment of any animal, whether an animal in the food chain or an animal in our home or a pet, is acceptable. We need to make sure that where there are very clear laws and procedures that should be in place, they are adhered to.

As the daughter of a farmer, I would say the vast majority of farmers comply with these regulations and treat their animals better than they might treat anybody else. I appreciate there are exemptions to the rules here, but obviously where somebody does not comply with very strict regulations they need to be held accountable.

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