§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases of foot and mouth disease were traced to illegal movement of animals; how many prosecutions for illegal movement of animals were instigated; and how many of these prosecutions were successful during the recent outbreak. [HL1580]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty)The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs receives regular reports from local authorities on enforcement activity relating to the foot and mouth outbreak. Information for the period up to 10 October indicates that there have been 18 convictions obtained by local authorities across Great Britain for offences involving the illegal movements of animals. The courts have imposed penalties in the form of fines of varying amounts on those responsible. These figures do not include cases which have not yet reached a conclusion through the courts, or where prosecutions were brought and no conviction obtained, or which were dealt with by the local authority by means other than prosecution; for example, by formal or informal cautions for which DEFRA does not have statistics.