Mr. Eddie Downey:

While the theft of machinery and various other items from farms is worrying, the particular danger associated with cattle rustling and cattle theft is that it has the potential to damage the system of full traceability on which we pride ourselves in this country. We have great confidence in this robust and good system, which is being well policed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Cattle rustling is creating a real worry for us, however. The co-operation that is being received North and South to try to stamp this out is an example of how various systems can work well together. I think we are making major progress in this whole area.