asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware that some of his inspectors went around the country last year pretending that they were cattle dealers looking for bull calves while, in fact, they were looking for scrub bulls; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Inspectors.
69.
Intensive searches are made by my Department for unlicensed bulls as they offer a serious threat to our livestock industry. The inspectors engaged for this work, which is neither easy nor pleasant, must be given some latitude in handling difficult cases. It is a matter for each inspector, while being courteous and discreet in his inquiries, to decide how best to make his search as effective as possible. The instructions given to the inspectors are in general terms and have not been changed in recent years.
Is the Minister aware that some inspectors are masquerading as cattle dealers, and innocent people are telling them of farmers with a calf for sale. They are looking for farmers with unlicensed bulls but are using unfair means in posing as cattle dealers.
Do I understand the Deputy to say that people are posing as departmental inspectors?
There are inspectors going round rural areas saying they are cattle dealers and they get people to give them information about bull calves which are for sale. This should not happen.
The Deputy will appreciate that the task of the inspector is to detect unlicensed bulls. If he advertised the fact that he is an inspector his rate of detection would drop rather dramatically.
There was a particular case in my area where a man is being prosecuted for having a calf nine months old. He will go to court and be deprived of his heifer grant for the coming year.
We cannot discuss this matter now.
Is the Minister aware that this type of thing is happening? An inspector can come along and probably go into court and claim that this calf was a year old but this lad can prove that it was only nine months old. Whose word will be taken in this case?
I am not aware of the particular case the Deputy is referring to.
I gave notice of a case similar to that mentioned by Deputy Finn.
We cannot discuss this matter further. I am calling Question No. 70.
Evidence has been forwarded from a veterinary surgeon in a case similar to that mentioned by Deputy Finn but despite this a widow was deprived of her grant under the beef incentive scheme.