Cork Co-Operative Marts Fined €4,250 for Animal Welfare Violations

Cork Co-Operative Marts has been fined €4,250 after pleading guilty to multiple breaches of animal welfare regulations. The violations were uncovered following an investigation by RTÉ Investigates, which aired in July 2023. The company operates as Bandon Mart and has been in business since 1956, previously maintaining a clean record without any prior convictions.

The case was heard at Bandon District Court, where Judge Joanne Carroll addressed the serious nature of the offences. The court learned that the breaches occurred on February 13 and April 17, 2023. Among the violations, Judge Carroll highlighted a particularly egregious incident where a young calf was dragged across the road by a customer, who lifted its head and tail. This act violated European legislation that prohibits the dragging or lifting of animals by their heads, tails, or other body parts.

In addition to the incident involving the calf, Cork Co-Operative Marts faced charges related to inadequate loading and unloading facilities. The company also failed to comply with regulations regarding the use of sticks during the loading and unloading process.

The Department of Agriculture initiated an investigation into animal welfare breaches across various marts in Ireland as a direct result of the RTÉ programme. Imogen McGuinness, a senior investigator with the department, stated that management at Cork Marts cooperated fully with the investigation. Following the incidents, the company implemented additional training for staff and took disciplinary action against those who did not adhere to the regulations. Furthermore, they communicated their commitment to maintaining high animal welfare standards to their customers.

Judge Carroll remarked on the severity of the calf dragging incident, describing it as “completely unacceptable.” In considering the early guilty plea and remedial actions taken by the company, she imposed a fine of €2,000 for the failure to prevent the dragging, €750 for deficiencies in the loading and unloading facilities, and €1,500 for the charge related to striking the calf. The company has also agreed to cover the €3,500 legal costs incurred by the Department of Agriculture.

Following the court proceedings, Cork Co-Operative Marts expressed regret over the incidents. A representative for the company stated that management found the dragging incident “deplorable” and emphasized their commitment to animal welfare. The company is now fully compliant with all European Union regulations concerning animal welfare and is working diligently to ensure such breaches do not occur in the future.