Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 5

Written Answers. - Cattle Smuggling.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

29 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if his attention has been drawn to cases where charges are being considered for the illegal smuggling of cattle from Northern Ireland; the measures in place to clamp-down on smuggling; his views on whether cattle smuggled from Northern Ireland are a significant source of BSE here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4243/01]

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

62 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of detected cases of cattle smuggling from Northern Ireland; the number of convictions arising from cattle smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4244/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 62 together.

Since March 1996, the exportation of live bovines from the UK has been banned, Commission decision of 27 March 1996 – 96/239/EEC – refers.

A very extensive range of measures is now in place to ensure the integrity of the national herd as well as cattle presented for slaughter. These include an animal traceability system and close liaison is maintained between my Department, the Garda authorities and Customs and Excise to ensure that the ban is implemented as far as imports from Northern Ireland are concerned. It should be noted that the primary onus is on the UK authorities to comply with the implementation of the ban.

As regards slaughtering plants, strict procedures are in place to verify both the origin and health status of animals presented for slaughter. These include checks of ear tags and documentation – including checks against the CMMS database – and ante mortem inspections. Checks are also undertaken at other locations on an ongoing basis.

Since 1996, 2,097 animals in 350 consignments have been seized on suspicion that they were illegally imported. Some 455 animals from 36 consignments were released after further investigation. The seizures were made at a variety of locations including at slaughter plants, on farms and on roads. In addition, my Department has detained other cattle whose identity could not be confirmed.

Where my Department is not satisfied as to the origin or identification of animals, they are detained pending investigation. Where the origin and-or identification cannot be verified, the ani mals will be destroyed without compensation being payable. Where sufficient evidence is available, prosecutions will be taken and to date three convictions have been secured in connection with offences uncovered. There are also a number of cases with the Director of Public Prosecutions and a number of others are under investigation. The control measures are strictly enforced and there is no evidence to suggest that smuggled cattle are a significant source of BSE here.