Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Sheep Imports.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

262 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the situation regarding the investigation by various Government authorities into the illegal importation of lambs from Northern Ireland and Great Britain into lamb processing plants here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9264/02]

Seymour Crawford

Question:

263 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he has conducted an internal investigation in his Department to ascertain where the controls and systems breakdown occurred in respect of the illegal importation of lambs from Northern Ireland and Great Britain into lamb processing plants over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9265/02]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 263 together.

Prior to 21 February 2001, free trade in sheep was permitted in both directions across the Border with Northern Ireland on the basis of a bilateral agreement between the authorities in each jurisdiction. The Deputy will be aware that these arrangements have been reviewed and have changed considerably since cross-Border trade in sheep resumed following the foot and mouth crisis. Full intra-community rules involving health certification and prior notification apply to trade in sheep with Northern Ireland. Such provisions and additional rules requiring 72 hours prior notification and delivery across specified border crossings to export certified slaughter plants at particular hours of the day only, apply in respect of sheep imported to this jurisdiction for slaughter from Northern Ireland.

In addition, the national sheep identification system introduced in June 2001, requires sheep delivered to slaughter plants to be individually identified and accompanied by a dispatch document. Imported sheep must bear tags put on in the exporting jurisdiction and NSIS makes provision for the use of a special tag when imported animals are received onto any holding in this jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the Diseases of Animals Act (Amendment) Act, 2001 provides in section 10 that where animals are not tagged in accordance with the relevant provisions, it may be inferred in proceedings that the animal has been introduced into the State unlawfully, that the tag has been unlawfully removed or tampered with, or that a tag has been forged or tampered with. The Act also provides a legal basis for the regulation and control of dealers in animals.

In relation to animals imported from Great Britain through Northern Ireland, I understand that no animals of FMD susceptible species have been imported to Northern Ireland from Great Britain since the FMD crisis. Prior to 21 February 2001, such imports from Northern Ireland were lawful without prior notification or health certification. Imports from Great Britain required specific certification. The collection of the flat rate VAT rebate on such imports is of course a serious matter and one which has been addressed by the Revenue Commissioners, although I am sure that the various measures introduced by my Department over the past year will be of assistance in this regard. The Deputy will be aware that a conviction has been secured in the case of one individual in respect of the illegal importation of sheep. Activities at certain plants are being investigated by the Garda authorities.

In conclusion, it should be noted that Minister Bríd Rodgers and I are working on developing an animal health strategy for the island of Ireland. This work encompasses seeking to maximise the degree of harmony and compatibility in areas such as animal identification and tracing as between North and South.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

264 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of lambs imported from Northern Ireland on a weekly basis into the various named lamb meat processing plants here since imports recommenced in late summer 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9266/02]

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

Effective from 31 July 2001 trade in the importation of sheep, inclusive of lambs, for slaughter from Northern Ireland was permitted. In the period 31 July 2001 to 10 March 2002 a total of 154,407 sheep were imported for slaughter. Given the commercial sensitivity it is not possible to name the sheep slaughter plants. The weekly figures are set out as follows:

Importation of Sheep from Northern Ireland

Slaughter

Week Commencing	No. of Consignments	No. of Sheep	Cumulative No. of Sheep
30 July 01	Nil
6 Aug. 01	Nil
13 Aug. 01	Nil
20 Aug. 01	7	1,867	1,867
27 Aug. 01	50	3,322	5,189
3 Sept. 01	45	4,727	9,916
10 Sept. 01	28	7,584	17,500
17 Sept. 01	31	6,670	24,170
24 Sept. 01	40	9,416	33,586
1 Oct. 01	41	10,668	44,254
8 Oct. 01	60	15,143	59,397
15 Oct. 01	37	11,302	70,699
22 Oct. 01	39	7,971	78,670
29 Oct. 01	33	8,647	87,317
5 Nov. 01	48	13,055	100,372
12 Nov. 01	20	5,178	105,550
19 Nov. 01	20	5,209	110,759
26 Nov. 01	18	3,751	114,510
3 Dec.01	24	5,628	120,138
10 Dec. 01	22	4,941	125,079
17 Dec. 01	10	3,255	128,334
24 Dec. 01	1	350	128,684
31 Dec. 01	11	3,252	131,936
7 Jan. 02	15	4,383	136,319
14 Jan. 02	17	3,801	140,120
21 Jan. 02	10	1,902	142,022
28 Jan. 02	8	2,084	144,106
4 Feb. 02	12	2,785	146,891
11 Feb. 02	12	3,305	150,196
18 Feb. 02	6	1,279	151,475
25 Feb. 02	5	1,207	152,682
4 Mar. 02	7	1,725	154,407