Vol. 468 No. 1
208 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the representations, if any, he has received from Northern Ireland farmers in relation to facilitating an early lifting of the ban on the export of cattle from Northern Ireland; and the assistance, if any, he has given in this regard. [14594/96]
I have received a number of representations concerning the prohibition on the importation of cattle from Northern Ireland since the introduction of the complete ban on export of cattle from the United Kingdom at EU level on 27 March 1996. I have already stated that I would be happy to support any moves by the United Kingdom to seek a relaxation of the prohibition as far as Northern Ireland is concerned in view of the much lower incidence of BSE in that region.
209 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of seizures of cattle from Northern Ireland in instances where the crossing of the Border occurred by accident, since the ban on movement came into effect; the number of such cattle seized; the number of occasions cattle have been returned; and the number of cattle returned. [14595/96]
Of the 51 cases where cattle have been seized since the introduction of the EU ban on export of cattle from the United Kingdom on 27 March 1996, it has been decided, after investigation, that a deliberate attempt to contravene the EU prohibition had not been made in 11 cases and the animals were returned to their owners. Some 184 cattle have been returned to their owners in this way.
