The Alliance for Animal Rights has called for an immediate ban here on the use of an electro-immobilisation device which uses a rectal probe to immobilise animals.
Its spokeswoman, Bernie Wright, has urged the Department of Agriculture to investigate the legality of the device, which was advertised in the current edition of the Irish Farmers Journal.
The advert sought agents to sell the €599 machine, which comes in a pack containing an aluminium rectal probe with a hardened plastic control unit.
However, the man who placed the advert, Clonakilty-based dairy farmer Vivian Hayes, said the device was legal and causes no stress to the animal.
"It uses electo-magnetic pulses to calm the central nervous system and send signals to the brain. It is a very animal welfare-friendly machine."
He said the system used in the German-made immobiliser was similar to that used by women during childbirth. "This machine is not listed as being banned on the Department of Agriculture website and is perfectly legal.
"I am a dairy farmer and I treat my animals well. In fact, this machine will prevent animals being beaten when they are being trained to be milked."
Mr Hayes said many farmers had responded to the advert, which said the device could be used in procedures such as branding, castration, debudding and hoof trimming.
It could also be used to train freshly calved heifers in the milking parlour without any side effects and could also be used in the fostering of suck calves.
However, Ms Wright said farming practices in Ireland are horrific enough without allowing the sale of the rectal probe.
"We will be investigating this matter fully and we want to warn any potential agents that we will find out their names and shop anyone selling these devices to the Revenue Commissioners."
Last April Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan announced she was banning electro-immobilisation on live farm animals from June 1st next.