Success for Specialist Unit in Cattle Disease
IRELAND - The work of Ireland's Special Investigation Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has helped to reduce the incidence of BSE and brucellosis, according to Minister Brendan Smith.
17 December 2008
1 minute read
He was replying to Labour party spokesperson on agriculture and food, Sean Sherlock TD, who asked him what was the unit’s annual budget, the number of staff working in the unit, and the number of prosecutions made in 2007.
The unit, which was set up in the 1980s to deal with serious problems relating to use of illegal substances such as hormones, and angel dust in animal production, now covers the implementation of various schemes and, in particular, to investigate breaches of legislation governing animal disease control, animal identification and smuggling.
Apart from investigative duties, the unit also has an important role in providing advice and training to other staff in the department, the Irish Examiner reports from the Irish Parliamentary questions.
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