To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cases of fraud relating to the Over Thirty Months Scheme have been investigated since the scheme began; and how many prosecutions have resulted. (138376)

The Over Thirty Months Scheme ceased operation on 22 January 2006 and was succeeded by the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme.

There have been 318 cases of suspected fraud relating to the Over Thirty Months Scheme investigated by the Department and eight successful prosecutions resulted. To date one case of suspected fraud relating to the Older Cattle Disposal Scheme has been investigated with no prosecution resulting.