A pig farm affected by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Russia's Far East tried to make a last-minute profit by barring government inspectors access to the site and slaughtering its livestock to sell off the meat.
Veterinary inspectors investigating the outbreak of the disease, which affects both animals and humans, had to enlist local police to gain access to the Spassky Bacon facility in the Primorye region, the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service said Friday in an online statement.
When inspectors managed to get in, they found animals exhibiting symptoms of the disease, and a laboratory analysis has since confirmed the diagnosis, the statement said.
It later became clear that employees had tried to conduct an emergency slaughter of the animals with the intention of selling the meat before it could be inspected, the statement added. It remains unclear whether any contaminated products reached stores or processing facilities.
Since the first cases of foot-and-mouth disease were reported in Primorye on May 21, the disease appears to have spread and local officials have declared an emergency situation in the region, Interfax reported.
The outbreak of the disease comes amid a ban on imports of U.S. pork, which the veterinary service, Rosselkhoznadzor, imposed last year over concerns about the use of the additive Ractopamine, a veterinary drug used to promote leanness in meat.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
