Russia: Those guilty of aiding ASF spread will be punished

Law-enforcement agencies in the Krasnodar region have begun large-scale inspections into the recent cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks. In the near future, farmers found guilty of violating veterinary regulations set up to contain ASF outbreaks will be fined heavily. Officials found guilty will be not only evicted from their posts, but can also face imprisonment for a period of up to three years.

“This year in the [Krasnador] region 22 outbreaks of African Swine Fever were reported. From July 26 to August 20 alone 19 outbreaks were reported in Ust-Labinsk, Krasnoarmeisky, Kalininsky, Korenovsky, Seversky, Abinsky, Timashevsky, Slavanskov, Yeiskom, Temryukovsky and Bruhovetsky districts of the region, “said the Prosecutor General’s Office in the statement.

Now prosecutors, working together with veterinary experts, are currently investigating the outbreaks. The investigations have already revealed gross violations of veterinary regulations made by the management of a number of pig farms.

Also, prosecutors have revealed a number of violations in the activities of public authorities and regulatory bodies.

“The violations cover untimely introduction of quarantine measures after the registration of the outbreaks of ASF, as well as violations of the veterinary medicine procedures covering the delineation of the borders of the quarantine zone. Violation have also been uncovered in the measures used to eliminate the outbreaks, and in the operation of security and quarantine posts intended to prevent the spread of the virus outside the region, ” said in the official press release.

By now, based on prosecutor’s inspections, 16 criminal cases have been initiated under Part 1 of article 249 of the Criminal Code of Russia (violation of veterinary rules). In the official report of the Prosecutor General’s Office it has been also noted that the investigation of these cases was done under special surveillance.

Source: Vladislav Vorotnikov