Robin Swann MLA, an Ulster Unionist member of Stormont’s Agriculture Committee, has warned that organised crime gangs involved in the theft of cattle across Northern Ireland have increased their activity in the last year despite reassurances from the Department and PSNI.

The North Antrim MLA said;

“Last year when I revealed that over 9,000 cattle had been stolenbetween 2010 & 2013, PSNI Chief Inspector Jane Humphries said: "We are all too well aware that crime is currently a problem for farmers and we are working closely with partner agencies and the community to make it harder for thieves to steal from farms." The SF Agriculture Minister also gave assurances that she would do all she could.

“So I was shocked when I discovered that an additional 3,331 cattle have went missing or were stolen in the last year; a 10% increase.   

“To put this into perspective, according to DARD the average herd size in Northern Ireland in 2012 was 80 cattle, so this figure represents the equivalent of nearly 42 farmers having their total herd stolen every year!

“In the past I have highlighted that I believe there is a cross border organised crime element to these thefts and this I believe is borne out by these latest figures with the Newry and Armagh DARD offices reporting over 1,332 of these cattle stolen or missing. The Newry office in 2012/13 reported 406 cattle stolen or missing this has doubled to 824 in 2013/14.

“The recent discovery of an illegal meat plant in Forkhill was a stark reminder of the serious risks to public health that this form criminality entails.

“Our agri-food industry cannot stand this continual onslaught and attack by organised crime gangs and as far as I can see neither DARD or the PSNI are fit to tackle it. Either that or they are unwilling to tackle it” said Mr Swann.