CHAROLAIS BULLS were involved in six of the last 14 deaths due to bull attacks on Irish farms, a safety seminar on cattle handling heard yesterday.
Pat Griffin, senior inspector with the Health and Safety Authority, said six different breeds were involved in deaths due to bull attacks.
A total of six deaths were caused by Charolais, three by Limousin, two by Friesian, and one each caused by Simmental, Hereford and Montbeliarde bulls.
Mr Griffin said there was no such thing as a quiet breed of bull, and HSA inspectors often heard that a bull which was considered quiet for years suddenly became angry and attacked.
Mr Griffin said 46 per cent of livestock-related deaths took place while farmers were herding in fields, 27 per cent in farmyards and buildings, 23 per cent when loading or unloading livestock, and a further 4 per cent were associated with horses.
He also pointed out that 54 per cent of victims were aged 65 or older, indicating that this age group should take particular care when coming into proximity with livestock.
Dr Bernadette Earley, Teagasc animal health and welfare research scientist, said purebred animals were far less approachable than crossbred animals in tests she carried out.
The study, being carried out in five EU countries to address the rising levels of injuries with livestock across Europe, said the interaction between the farmer and the animal was crucial for safety-related behaviour.
