I am honoured to have been nominated by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to take on the role of Chairperson of the Farmed Animal Welfare Advisory Council. It is indeed an onerous task to take on the chairmanship of a body that has made significant contributions to improving the welfare standards of farmed animals in Ireland for over twenty years. However, with the continued support of stakeholders, I am confident that FAWAC can continue to build upon its past achievements and deliver on its remit of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of farmed animals.
Livestock production has historically been a key element of Ireland’s agricultural output, and this continues to be true today. In 2023, of the total agricultural goods output of €10.7 billion, €4.6 billion of this figure was attributed to livestock, and a further €3.6 billion to livestock products. However, as important as the economic contribution of animals to the agricultural economy may be, of equal significance is the fact that Irish farmers, and Irish citizens more generally, understand that there is an intrinsic value in upholding good standards of animal welfare. Indeed, the concept of One Welfare makes explicit this interconnection between animal welfare, human wellbeing and the environment. High standards of farmed animal welfare can help support key global objectives such as supporting food security and sustainability, reducing human suffering and improving agricultural productivity.
Over the past twenty years, FAWAC has made a significant contribution to improving the welfare of farmed animals in Ireland. Its particular role has been to bring the different perspectives of all of the relevant stakeholder groups to bear on this important issue. Over the years, through a partnership approach, the members of FAWAC have collectively provided advice to the Minister and to the Department in the area of animal welfare. They have also been able to identify key areas where further improvements in animal welfare standards can be achieved, and have worked to increase public awareness of the importance of animal welfare, and of the initiatives, policies and legislation that exist to underpin it.
I wish to thank the previous chairpersons of FAWAC, Professor Patrick Fottrell and Ciara Feeney-Reid, for the work they have done in steering the Committee since its establishment in 2002. Equally, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the representatives of the various stakeholder groups that make such a valuable contribution to its work. I look forward to convening the group in the coming weeks and to developing a meaningful programme of work for the coming year, and for the years ahead.
Mr. Joseph O'Flaherty
Chairperson
May 2025