Officers of companies operating factories found to have breached new laws dealing with foot-and-mouth disease can be prosecuted, the House was told. The proceedings could include disqualification, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Noel Davern, said.
The new powers and controls in the Diseases of Animals (Amendment) Bill were targeted at a relatively small group of people, he stressed. It was not his intention to interfere with the normal business of farming and the food industry.
Extensive powers of search, seizure and detention in respect of vehicles, animals, animal products, fodder or litter were being provided. Penalties of up to £1,500 in fines and/or six months' imprisonment could be imposed for obstruction of authorised officers. On indictment, the punishment could be a maximum of £100,000 and/or five years' jail. Wide powers were being given to officers in terms of entering lands, searching, seizure and detention.
Mr Shane Ross (Ind) said it appeared that certain parts of the agricultural industry and the agrifood industry were not properly policed. Despite a tribunal on this problem or an allied one some years ago, nothing had been done about it.
Mr Jim Gibbons (PD) said what was going on in relation to Cheltenham was appalling. No one would like more than the Irish to go over there with their horses and compete with the British and French in the major event of the season. "But I am saddened by the actions of Ruby Walsh and the other jockeys who are going over."
Mr Fergal Quinn (Ind) said it was time to realise that we might be in for a long haul on this problem, and we should do some thinking as to how best to position ourselves, and our country, as far as the outside world was concerned. "I was alarmed, for instance, to read that the Taoiseach is going to send all his Ministers around the world with a St Patrick's Day message that we're taking foot-and-mouth more seriously than the British are. This seems to me to be an impetuous reaction rather than a steady-headed one. The danger is that by shouting about foot-and-mouth abroad, we draw attention to the problem instead of mitigating its impact."
Mr Peter Callanan (FF) said he had to question whether the penalties in the Bill were severe enough. There had been a recent court case in Cork where a person convicted of changing tags had been given a three-year suspended sentence. Consideration should be given to making fines mandatory.
Mr Denis O'Donovan (FF) said thought should be given to the use of silicon chips to trace cattle and sheep. It was scandalous that the use of illegal growth promoters did not yet seem to have been cut out. "I don't think the legislation goes far enough to outlaw the very professional criminal clique that is operating this racketeering across the Border and beyond."
Replying to the debate, Mr Davern said the Irish Rugby Football Union had behaved fantastically well in the postponement of international matches. This was part of its very considerable contribution to the cause of Irish agriculture and the food industry.