PRESS RELEASE:
Cattle brought by issuing fake documents by the ship Spiridon II from Spain to our country were subjected to veterinary controls by the units of our Ministry in İskenderun Port.
"Veterinary health certificates" of the shipment issued by the Spanish competent authority were sent to the concerned country for the purpose of verification.
It was stated by the competent authority in Spain that animals were loaded and certified from the Port of Tarragona to be sent to Lebanon, no certificates were issued for these animals concernig our country and the certificates transmitted to them were forged.
The relevant customs administration was informed about the situation by the relevant units of our Ministry and a denunciation was made to the Public Prosecution Office.
In this context, our ministry has re-conducted health surveys on these animals, prevented contact with other animals, and all relevant administrative measures are increased for the strict implementation of quarantine measures.
No clinical findings were found in the health screenings, and no case was identified that posed a risk to public and animal health.
The mentioned animals are still under customs supervision and have not been entered into free movement.