Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has on double payments of EEC funds on cattle being exported to the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland in view of the difficulties now being experienced by meat plants in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. BishopI have no evidence of any such irregularities. As indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 7th April 1975—[Vol. 889, c.380–2.]—the permanent marking of animals certified in the United Kingdom is a safeguard against further payment of any premium available in the Irish Republic and it is also a safeguard against sale into intervention.