§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cases of illegal or irregular disposal of food have been brought to the attention of the Intervention Board for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [34732]
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§ Mr. Douglas HoggI have asked the chief executive of the Intervention Board to reply direct.
Letter from Guy Stapleton to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 19 July 1995:
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your question about reports to the Agency of illegal or irregular disposal of food as this is a matter within my operational responsibility.Reports of irregular disposals of food under the Surplus Food Scheme in the last five years were:
Calendar Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Number of reports 1 1 6 15 7
Four of the current cases under investigation by the Intervention Board's Anti-Fraud Unit or the Police. The investigation of 2 further cases has been concluded. The papers on one have been sent to the Procurator Fiscal for this consideration; the other case has proceeded to court but has been adjourned after the initial hearing until September.The introduction of the Surplus Food Regulations (SI 184/95) with effect from 1 February 1995 enables the Intervention Board to address vigorously any case of abuse under the arrangements, to prosecute offenders and to seize all misappropriated produce and re-direct it to those whom the Scheme is intended to benefit.