§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many extra police officers, in each rank and in total, have been deployed to control the traffic at the disinfection points of vehicles entering and leaving Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic, since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease began. [157884]
§ Mr. IngramNo police officers have been specifically deployed to control traffic at disinfection points. However, the Royal Ulster Constabulary liaises daily with and responds to requests from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and other Government officials to attend where required. Attendance has varied as has been deemed necessary.
Fixed and rolling vehicle checkpoints have been set up throughout the province and, as part of normal duties, police patrols have been operating vehicle checkpoints with instructions to stop/check any persons or vehicles appearing to be involved with the transport of animals or animal products.