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Criminal investigation launched in Amur Region in violation of vet regulations entailing by negligence spread of epizootics

The Far Eastern Federal District Investigations Directorate of the Russian Emergencies Ministry following the results of the pre-investigating check has launched a criminal investigation into signs of the crime under part 1 of article 249 of the RF Penal Code (violation of veterinary regulations, which entailed by negligence the spread of epizootic diseases or other grave consequences).

According to investigators, in the period between July and September 2013 in several districts of Amur Region there was an epidemic of murrain (epizootic) despite the measures to contain the disease and repeated vaccination of cattle. It has been found that the outbreak of murrain led to destruction of 968 heads of cattle, 459 heads of small cattle and 161 pigs. The repeated outbreaks of murrain in a short time show that there was a violation of veterinary regulations. A number of complex forensic analyses are going to be run to find the violations.

During the probe the investigators are going to classify actions of and decisions made by veterinary officials of Amur Region and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture regarding purchase, storage, transportation and use of vaccines, containment and elimination of the epizootic. The investigation is ongoing and is under control of the leadership of the Russia’s Investigative Committee.