Nine cases of alleged sheep subsidy fraud during Northern Ireland's foot-and-mouth crisis have been referred to the Department of Public Prosecutions, it was revealed today.
Northern Agriculture Minister Ms Bríd Rodgers told her scrutiny committee today officials had begun legal proceedings in nine cases where no sheep were found during the foot-and-mouth culls.
There were also investigations into a further eight cases with no sheep.
Ms Rodgers also said her department would maintain its ban on livestock imports from Britain following the recent outbreaks of the disease in Northumberland.
Serology testing of the province's flocks would also continue, she said, to provide "a snapshot" of the current foot-and-mouth position in the province.
Sinn Fein Assembly member Mr Gerry McHugh expressed concern the publicity surrounding the fraud cases had given farmers in those areas a bad name.
"It has done damage to the overall perception of the public regarding the farming industry," the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA said.
But Ms Rodgers said she was carrying out her responsibilities in taking action against anyone trying to defraud the system. She said in highlighting the matter she was being open and honest to the Assembly and the committee.
Agriculture committee chairman the Rev Ian Paisley said he too had no regrets over highlighting the issue. "If people claim for sheep they don't possess, then I make no apology for that. Fraud has to be exposed whether people like it or not," he said.
PA