Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Cattle Seizures.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

220 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a consignment of cattle received by a factory (details supplied) on 16 November 1997 was examined by a representative of the district veterinary office on the following day; the evidence, if any, found suggesting that ear tags might have been removed or altered; if the place of origin of the cattle was determined; if they came from within the State or from Northern Ireland.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16111/98]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

221 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if a consignment of cattle received by a factory (details supplied) in County Tipperary on 16 November 1997 was detained by officials of his Department, if so, the reason it was detained; the period of detention; if the cattle concerned were moved with or without the consent of his officials; if so, to where they were moved; and if he will make a statement on. [16113/98]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

225 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if officials of his Department were asked by the Garda to assist in any way in relation to a seizure by the Garda of a consignment of cattle in or in the environs of Nenagh, County Tipperary, around 16 November 1997; if so, the reasons his Department was asked to assist; the nature of the departmental assistance; if this assistance led to any subsequent inquiries, investigations or proceedings; and where, precisely, the cattle were seized, if this incident occurred. [16117/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220, 221 and 225 together.

On 17 November 1997, veterinary officials of my Department examined a consignment of 22 cattle delivered to a meat plant in County Tipperary. Department officials had been notified of such delivery by the Garda Síochána who had examined the Northern registered cattle truck en route to the factory. Following examination, the cattle were detained under Garda surveillance and subsequently seized by Department officials. The seized animals were dispatched under Garda escort to a pound in County Cavan. After further investigation, including examination of tags and identity documents, Department staff were satisfied that the seized animals had been imported from the United Kingdom in contravention of the veterinary legislation of the European Union and in particular Council Directive 64/432/EEC and Commission Decision 96/239/EC. A slaughter notice was issued to the owner of the animals on 2 January 1998 and the 22 animals were subsequently slaughtered and rendered in accordance with normal Department procedures.