New legislation to deal with rogue livestock traders

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, today said that the Attorney General will present proposals to the Cabinet tomorrow…

The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Joe Walsh, today said that the Attorney General will present proposals to the Cabinet tomorrow to deal with rogue traders and smugglers dealing in livestock and emergency legislation is expected to be put before the Daíl later this week.

The Minister said that anyone caught moving animals in breach of regulations could face fines of up to £100,000 and/or five years in prison.

Mr Walsh added that the situation had gone from one of 'pressure for more draconian controls to one of pressure that the controls were too draconian'.

Responding to questions regarding the forthcoming concerts by pop group Westlife at the Point Depot, Mr Walsh said that there were no legal provisions in place but the department had issued specific guidelines on disinfectant for foot-and-mouth at such events.

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The culling of 300 sheep has begun at a farm in Mayo, however, the Department of Agriculture says that there is a very low risk of infection from the animals.

Currently there are 520 holdings in the state under restriction as either the animals or people on those holdings have come into contact with animals on problem farms.