A Finnish court has ordered the two veterinarians who deliberately switched BSE test samples at the Snellman slaughterhouse in the west coast city of Pietarsaari to pay 50 day-fines. Between the two of them, the veterinarians will also have to compensate for court costs totalling EUR 1,515.
On the other hand, the Pietarsaari unit of the Mustasaari District Court did not think there was enough evidence to support the dismissal of the chief inspector veterinarian at the time.
The National Food Agency, in turn, is considering further action against one of the veterinarians, who is employed by the agency.
The veterinarian has been suspended since the beginning of the case. The other accused has already retired.
Both have worked in Pietarsaari as inspector veterinarians and also as chief inspector veterinarians.
Inspector veterinarians are accountable for their decisions made in the workplace.
The District Court ruled that the veterinarians deliberately contravened the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the National Food Agency's instructions on taking BSE samples in 2001-2003.
Samples taken from the carcasses of younger animals were used to replace the so-called "bad samples" taken from older animals (see earlier articles).
According to the District Court, there was evidence that both veterinarians had instructed their subordinates to perform the switch. This switching of samples became a common practice.
Both of the accused denied having instructed those below them to switch the samples. One of the veterinarians admitted to personally having switched two of the damaged samples.
No evidence was found to support the prosecution's allegation of their having performed the switch with the intention of seeking economic gain either for the veterinarians themselves or for the slaughterhouse.
The District Court concluded that the Snellman slaughterhouse was unaware of the switching of samples. The inspector veterinarians' motives to perform the switch remain unclear.
The suspended veterinarian's future career will be decided on next week.
"First we must hear the veterinarian. It is clear that for credibility reasons the veterinarian cannot be allowed to continue as a meat inspector. A decision will be made before Christmas", says Director General Jorma Hirn of the National Food Agency.
Hirn admits that far too often the inspector veterinarians are allowed to work without proper supervision.
Further support for those taking the samples is needed from the National Food Agency. Five training seminars on the subject have already been scheduled for next year.
