Irregular lamb imports from Britain for slaughter at Irish meat plants were running at such a high level in 1998 that "out-of-control" elements in sheep production were discussing burning non-Irish registered lorries, The Irish Times has learned.
Department of Agriculture documents on sheep-smuggling since 1998, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show the industry has been struggling to contend with imports from Britain through the North for some years.
Infected imported sheep from Carlisle have been blamed for the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on the island of Ireland in 60 years.
A memo written by Ms Helen Nugent, assistant principal officer, at the Department's sheepmeat division, dated 19th November, 1998, noted Mr Kevin Kinsella, of the Irish Farmers' Association, had complained that 20,000 lambs a week were being imported at that time.
"He said that farmers were furious etc with the lack of concern shown by the Department; we clearly had done nothing and veterinary inspectors must be turning a blind eye to consignments of lamb of question," the memo continued.
"He warned that there was an element of [sheep producers] which were out of control and this group were discussing as a next step the burning of lorries with non-Irish registration, which were delivering to meat plants," concluded the memo.
Later in December that year, at a meeting of the National Sheep Forum, Mr Kinsella expressed concern at the continuing importation not only on commercial grounds but also on animal health grounds.
The documentation showed, however, that the Department moved quickly to have the Revenue Commissioners investigate VAT evasion. The first approaches seem to have been made in late 1997. However, Ms Nugent complained in a letter of February 18th, 1998, that the VAT Section of the Revenue Commissioners did not appear to be making great progress. But by August 25th of that year she was able to report progress.
"As a result of irregular activity uncovered, two large plants have agreed to settle unpaid, unreported VAT bills with the Revenue Commissioners relating to Northern lambs. Very large sums are involved in both cases." Meanwhile, the Department confirmed yesterday that the final tests from the Keenan farm in Piedmont, on the Cooley peninsula, have proved negative. Other final samples from Bunclody, Co Wexford, were also negative.