asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food in relation to cattle which were the subject of a successful prosecution at Waterford District Court on 7 October 1988 under the Diseases of Animals Act, if he will indicate the following: (1) the defendant in the case and what penalty was imposed; (2) whether cattle identity cards, which had been tampered with were found in the factory concerned at the time these animals arrived; (3) whether these cards relate to animals already slaughtered; (4) should these cards already have been destroyed; (5) whether the source of the cards was ever established through any further investigation by his Department or other appropriate authorities; (6) whether the source of the animals which were the subject of the successful prosecution mentioned above was ever established; and (7) whether any other irregularities were discovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cattle Irregularities.
107.
While the matters in question are matters exclusively for the Board and Director of ERAD I am informed by the Director that in relation to the prosecution in question the defendants in the case where the owners of a registered meat export premises who were fined £600 and £237.50 expenses. It was found that identity cards had been tampered with and that four of the cards related to animals already slaughtered. The identity cards were traced as having come from 14 different counties. The animals were established as having been of Northern Ireland origin. Other charges which were brought against the defendants were dismissed.