§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to combat illegal sales of bacon pigs.
§ Mr. ChannonAction against illegal sales of bacon pigs in Northern Ireland was taken by the previous Northern Ireland Administration.
To allow more effective measures to be taken against illegal sales at livestock sale yards, the Pigs Marketing Board for Northern Ireland was empowered to compile a register of persons authorised to act as agents in the sale of pigs.
A further measure was the making of the Movement of Pigs Regulations under the Agricultural Marketing Act (Northern Ireland), 1964. aimed at curtailing illegal sales directly off Northern Ireland farms.
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§ Mr. Maginnisasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pigs have been seized under the 1972 Movement of Pigs Regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonUnder these regulations, which came into force on 1st May of this year, there have been three seizures involving 87 pigs. The seizures were made in each case by an authorised officer of the Pigs Marketing Board for Northern Ireland with the co-operation of the RUC.