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In a document received by ELTA, the Ministry of Agriculture states that it addresses the STT in light of information in the public domain that SFVS management and staff may not have initiated legal custody and confiscation procedures in the face of cruelty and animal torture. control of the illegal breeding and trade of companion animals, did not control the illegal introduction of companion animals into the territory of Lithuania.
The Ministry asks the STT to evaluate the situation of possible corruption and to carry out an investigation into the actions of the SFVS to find out about possible criminal acts.
SFVS Director Darius Remeika Eltai said that STT has already conducted an investigation into the situation in the service this year and that more than half of the STT recommendations, according to D. Remeika, have already been implemented.
“This study was already carried out earlier this year and recommendations were made on how to improve various procedures and control mechanisms. We have worked with the STT in response to their comments, probably more than half of the recommendations have been implemented, work has already been done and others are being done. That work is done, I don’t know what else to explore here. If you investigate, please, “D. Remeika told Eltai.
According to D. Remeika, in this investigation the STT identified areas for improvement in the procedures, but not the acts of corruption.
“The fur sector and, in general, animal welfare, including breeders, have been audited. There are observations, but the corruption facts have certainly not been established, but they have been identified in the improvement procedures. Clearly, It is important to carry out the procedures so that the person does not have the possibility of deviating. We are working in that direction, “said the head of the SFVS.
Renata Keblienė, head of STT’s Communication Department, confirmed to Eltai that the Ministry of Agriculture received the request on Thursday. She also added that the STT would evaluate the appeal.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also formed a commission to evaluate the activities, procedures and processes of the SFVS to investigate reports, complaints and carry out inspections on animal welfare issues.
In a report published in May this year, the STT pointed out, according to the service, an ineffective mechanism for prosecuting violations of animal welfare requirements. Violations of the animal welfare requirements are usually accompanied by administrative instructions and half of the minimum fine of € 15. As a result, the potential fine will generally be less than the expected cost of improving animal welfare, especially when only warnings are issued, the service said.
The STT also stated that the suspension or revocation of the registration of an activity does not apply even in the case of cruelty to animals.
“There are unresolved issues regarding the proper implementation of animal confiscation, which also creates a favorable environment for corruption: self-determination, that is, initiating an animal confiscation procedure or not initiating it at the discretion of SFVS staff.” announced the STT.
The Authority suggested to the SFVS to improve the procedures for issuing the veterinary approval and the registration of activities, clarify the existing regulations and ensure, according to the comments submitted, that in all cases the persons who have committed similar violations are held equally responsible.
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