The department says farm fraud is priority

Ian Pearson revealed that further prosecutions were in the pipeline and pointed out that his department had a policy of naming and shaming those involved.

Last year, the department was criticised by a House of Commons committee for failing to tackle fraud, which costs taxpayers millions of pounds.

However, on Thursday, the minister said tackling fraud was a priority.

"DARD has a zero tolerance to fraud and we are pursuing a systematic approach to minimising the risk of fraud and its cost to the department," he said.

He said since October 2002, the department had successfully prosecuted 25 people for fraud-related offences and a further 22 cases were in the pipeline.

A new elite unit, the Scambusters unit, has also been set up to tackle more difficult cases.

These proactive measures are another clear message that DARD is not soft on fraud Ian Pearson Agriculture Minister

Mr Pearson added: "Fraud awareness training is a fundamental element in developing an effective anti-fraud culture and over 300 departmental staff have received this training to date.

"We will shortly be distributing over 1,000 posters and approximately 28,000 leaflets to locations and farms across Northern Ireland.

"Our fraud hotline and online reporting facilities also continue to be available to everyone."

He said at least 5% of all livestock subsidy scheme applicants were visited and claims were checked on the ground by physical inspection.

During 2003, inspection staff referred 48 cases of suspected SAPS (Sheep Annual Premium) fraud for investigation. To date, 23 have been convicted with another 12 in the pipeline.

"These proactive measures are another clear message that DARD is not soft on fraud," he said.

"We have reviewed and strengthened our fraud investigation procedures and have also introduced revised arrangements to ensure that prosecution cases do not become statute-barred," he said.

Mr Pearson said the risk of fraud was ever present and posed a very real threat to the reputation and economic sustainability of the agricultural industry.

He said the department would not therefore be complacent.