asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the recent measures announced by the Northern authorities which are aimed at preventing the smuggling of cattle across the Border; and if he is satisfied that these measures will be sufficient to stop further smuggling.
Written Answers. - Cattle Smuggling.
44.
The measures referred to are designed to prevent traders from illegally claiming MCA subsidies on cattle exported from Northern Ireland. These measures, which were drawn up in co-operation with officials of my Department, require traders wishing to claim MCA subsidies on cattle imported here to present such cattle for inspection by an official of my Department in order to verify that the cattle reach their declared destination.
While the measures should help to reduce cross-Border smuggling from here they cannot, in view of their nature, prevent all smuggling of cattle across the Border to Northern meat factories. I am concerned about this latter traffic because of its impact on supplies for our meat factories, and every effort will continue to be made by my Department through animal health controls, with the assistance of the customs and the Garda and by means of contacts with the Northern and EEC authorities, to reduce the illegal traffic to a minimum.