asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the great abuse caused by the wholesale smuggling of cattle and lambs across the Border and of the bad effects of such smuggling on the eradication of tuberculosis in adjacent counties and on honest farmers; and if he will have an immediate tightening up made in order to prevent smugglers and tanglers from upsetting normal trade activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Smuggling of Cattle and Lambs.
37.
The answer is in the negative. There is freedom of trade in cattle and sheep across the land frontier in both directions but under regulations associated with the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme permits are at present required to move cattle into the clearance areas comprising Counties Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Monaghan, Roscommon and Sligo. My Department is doing everything possible to ensure compliance with the various regulations under the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme which are necessary in order that the job of eradication can be completed within the shortest possible time and the active co-operation of the herd owners must be expected in their own interests in this matter.