In its investigation into calf smuggling across the Border into the Republic, the Department of Agriculture has slaughtered 550 calves from 23 herds. Some 500 more from four herds may be slaughtered following investigations.
These figures emerged as the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, announced that rules associated with the identification system of cattle would continue to be tightened in an attempt to prevent any undermining of the system.
He was speaking in Bandon, Co Cork, where he introduced the Department's new system for the registration of calf births by e-mail. Calves have to be officially registered within 20 days of birth.
Mr Walsh said the rules were being observed by most farmers and he promised that strenuous efforts would be made to prosecute those who flouted the law.
Details of what the Department described as one of the largest investigations undertaken by it in conjunction with the Garda are contained in an information paper presented to the Public Accounts Committee.
This said that documentation and other items were seized during the investigation and were being assessed. Witnesses were being interviewed and statements taken.
"To date, three people have been arrested and held for questioning. One person has been charged with criminal damage to tags. Approximately 550 calves from 23 herd-owners have been seized and slaughtered," it said.
"In addition, approximately another 500 calves from four other herd-owners are being investigated and may be destroyed."
The report said the investigation would take several months and that files were being prepared for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions. "Several of these relate to the central figures in the alleged calf-smuggling operation."
Figures also supplied to the committee showed that, since 1996, 15,972 herd-owners have been penalised for discrepancies in applications under the special beef premium scheme, the majority for failing to make applications on time.
Between 1996 and last year, 6,687 applicants were penalised under the suckler cow premium scheme where, again, late application accounted for nearly half of the penalties.