An Irish vet found guilty for certifying cattle for export to Morocco

An Irish vet who was found guilty for certifying some cattle as fit for export to Morocco when they were not «had his registration cancelled» by a court, reported online newspaper Independent on Monday.

An inquiry has been initiated by the Irish Veterinary Council Fitness to Practice Committee to look into the vet's activities, following complaints by the Moroccan authorities in August 2011 over exported beef cattle.

The Moroccan authorities indicated that some of the animals imported from Ireland on June the 30th 2011 and which were certified by the Private Veterinary Practitioner were infected. «12 cases involved infectious bovine rhinotrachetis (IBR), 20 animals to date had died and another four were slaughtered under an emergency slaughtering procedure», says the same source.

The accused was fined €100,000 and sentenced to four and a half year suspended years in prison.

«A two and a half year sentence imposed on a member of his office staff, Joan Stafford, was entirely suspended on her completing 24 hours community service», added Irish newspaper.