Hit and shunted about at the market, prodded in the face by electric goads. What utter misery for the poor worn-out ewes, cattle ready for incineration, unwanted calves . . . It does not seem very bright, but then . . . The farming industry are always stressing how ignorant the rest of the population are in farming matters. Because one lives in a town or city now does not mean that one has not lived in rural areas at any time, or has not engaged in farming at close hand, once.
Veterinarians are accomplices in farming activities.
If local commercial vets are asked to adjudicate on market welfare breaches, or pass an animal as fit for live export when it quite plainly is not, then their loyalty will lie with their clients - no, not the animals, the traders. Farmers and their associations cannot understand why anyone should complain about their treatment of their animals. Perhaps they've been allowed to get away with it for far too long. Local authorities must also be more conscientious in tackling the poor practices at livestock markets. It is appreciated that there is difficulty in financing the training of council officers for this task, but matters must improve.