Republicans blamed over foot-and-mouth crisis

Republicans were today accused of causing the foot-and-mouth crisis in Northern Ireland by smuggling livestock across the border.

Sinn Fein clashed angrily with the DUP in the Assembly for linking its members to the illegal movement of animals in the south Armagh area.

The bitter exchange came as the SDLP castigated the Rev William McCrea for claiming animals with foot-and-mouth disease had been secretly buried on an infected farm in Ardboe.

A debate on the hardship facing farmers erupted when Paul Berry (DUP, Newry and Armagh) blamed people close to Sinn Fein in south Armagh for the illegal movement of sheep which led to the disease spreading in the Province.

‘‘It is because of the republican movement in south Armagh that anxieties have taken place,’’ he claimed.

John Kelly (Sinn Fein, Mid-Ulster) immediately accused Mr Berry of straying from the subject of the debate.

He said: ‘‘The member has all the devices available to him in a private members motion, in any other motion to address the issues he want.’’

But Mr Berry insisted Departmental staff were removed from a cull site in Newry by a veterinary officer because fraud was being overlooked.

Agriculture Minister Brid Rodgers (SDLP, Upper Bann) attacked Mr Berry’s claims that the Department had turned a blind eye to fraud.

‘‘I deeply resent the implication. It is a very serious allegation and I think that Mr Berry may well be misinformed about some of the issues that he has raised.’’