The Minister for Agriculture has said that no-nonsense legislation coming before the Dáil this week will significantly tighten up rules in the livestock trading sector. He said that anyone flouting the law would be routed out. Because of the controversy over cross-border smuggling revealed since the food and mouth emergency began, the Government is now moving to tighten up the whole business.
The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Walsh, said this afternoon that cattle dealers have been an important part of the livestock trade for generations. But he said that there were rogues - less than a dozen, he thought - who were bring the trade into disrepute. He said that the new regulations would particularly tighten up the sheep business where, up to now, no ear tags were required.
In future, dealers would have to hold onto livestock for 30 days. If animals have to be moved in a shorter period than that, special movement permits would have to be applied for. But he said that the tough measures would not interfere with the important live export trade. Penalties for breaches of the regulation will be £100,000 and or 5 years' jail. Department of Agriculture officials are also being given extra powers of search and arrest.
Some 55 major meat plants in the Republic of Ireland and 400 smaller abattoirs resumed the slaughtering of cattle, sheep and pigs early this morning. They are operating under a new permit scheme introduced to prevent a foot and mouth outbreak. Hauliers and farmers arriving at the plant are required to produce a detailed form setting out the origins of the animals. Teagasc has so far issued 1,000 permit numbers for the movement of cattle, sheep and pigs. Processing plants are expected to operate at full capacity today. The movement of animals, other than for slaughter, has been halted because of foot and mouth.
The farming organisations and hauliers have welcomed the new scheme, which so far appears to be working smoothly. Roscommon farmer Noel O'Rourke summed up the general reaction as he arrived in the Kepak Plant in Athleague. He said that every decent farmer hoped it would route out the cowboys, the smugglers and those who were threatening Ireland's good name. But haulier Eamon Higgins from Elfin warned that the regulations would put additional costs on farmers.
In a separate development, 520 holdings around the country are under restriction because of foot and mouth disease, but the authorities say that no animals are showing critical signs of the disease. Yesterday, inspectors from the Department of Agriculture completed the slaughter of 308 sheep on a farm near Claremorris in County Mayo.
Arrangements are now being made to take them to a rendering plant for disposal. The flock was estimated to be worth £20,000. The animals arrived here from Northern Ireland two weeks ago before the outbreak there was confirmed and prior to a ban on such imports.
