Suspected switching of BSE test samples casts shadow over slaughterhouse

Sample taking was carried out by appointed government officials

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The trial of the two National Food Agency veterinarians accused of switching BSE test samples while working at the Snellman slaughterhouse in Pietarsaari has caused a noticeable stir in their former workplace.
      The two veterinarians were hired by the government, and the slaughterhouse was their appointed post. The slaughterhouse has no right to interfere with the inspector veterinarians' work, but is required to follow their instructions.
      The family-owned Snellman meat-processing firm is the only Finnish slaughterhouse with a licence to export beef into the United States.
     
On Tuesday morning a briefing was organised, at which Snellman workers were informed of the latest events. The message of the briefing was clear: the firm had not broken any laws. The products were reliable, the internal supervision worked.
      The veterinarians now on trial worked at the Snellman slaughterhouse at the beginning of the millennium.
      A year ago the National Food Agency suspended both of them on suspicion of wrongdoing.
      "The National Food Agency is responsible for actions of their staff. We have made provision for ensuring that the agency will also answer for the possible loss of business and damage to our reputation because of this", managing director Gerhard Snellman says.
      According to the current chief inspector veterinarian Liisa Wallenius, BSE prions have never been detected from meat in the Snellman facility.
     
"The European Union will not be taking any action in regard to the doctored BSE samples reported from Finland", says Jaana Huso-Kallio, deputy director of the European Commission's consumer protection division.
      "Everything has been duly reported and now it is up to the Finnish authorities to resolve the matter", Huso-Kallio comments.
      Huso-Kallio, a Finn herself, expressed some disappointment with the situation, but said she does not believe this episode has ruined Finland's reputation or irreversibly damaged the integrity of Finnish government officials.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Two veterinarians face charges for BSE test sample switch (1.12.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat