Ex-RUC officers investigate illegal livestock movements

Four former police officers are to help investigate the illegal movement of livestock in Northern Ireland before and during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Ex-members of the RUC's criminal investigations unit are involved in an inquiry into animals imported into the province before the first outbreak occurred in Meigh, south Armagh, in March.

Britain's Department of Agriculture's team of investigators now includes two former RUC inspectors and two former sergeants who retired early from the force.

As Northern Ireland agriculture minister Brid Rodgers confirmed that 19 people are being questioned about the illegal movement of animals, her officials would not comment on the involvement of the former policemen.

"The Department does not discuss individual employees or our investigative procedures or personnel," a spokesman said.

However sources close to the investigative team said the former officers were looking at a range of alleged scams.

"The team is trying to get to the heart of the smuggling operation and other fraud that has gone before and during this crisis," a source said.

"They are looking at a range of incidents including the importation of livestock and the distribution of some animals on farms in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic."

Last week, the Department of Agriculture confirmed it was widening its investigation to trace the movement of 15,000 animals brought into the province between January 1 and 29.

Meanwhile as officials anxiously await the results of foot-and-mouth tests on a suspected fifth case in Ballintoy, Co Antrim, Mrs Rodgers warned farmers they must be prepared for even more outbreaks.

The four confirmed cases so far have been at Meigh, Co Armagh, two in Ardboe in Co Tyrone and one in Cushendall, Co Antrim.