#livestock

#livestock

John Joe Fitzgerald, Vice President of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, recounted the harrowing experience of a farmer in West Kerry whose sheep suffered severe injuries from a dog attack. The emotional toll of witnessing injured sheep and lost lambs profoundly impacted John Joe and inspired action against the ongoing crisis.

Screwworms are a significant threat as they lay eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals, leading to intense pain and life-threatening infections.

The ongoing decline of Ireland's national herd, including a substantial drop in dairy cow numbers, signals a shift in agricultural practices rather than a mere downturn in farming.