There have been no prosecutions initiated against those who have wrongfully used or illegally imported veterinary medicines despite almost 100 incidents resulting in the seizure of such products so far this year.

The Department and Customs was responsible for the seizure of a combined 93 products, a spokesperson from the Department told the Irish Farmers Journal, but no charges were taken against those suspected of the wrongdoing.

The Department would not go into further detail on the types or volumes of medicines that were confiscated, only saying that a large number of the 93 products were seized from the one premises over the course of an investigation.

“Details of the medicines seized cannot be released as some may be subject to ongoing investigations,” the spokesperson said, adding that all seizures are fully investigated by the Department.

“We can confirm that a large number of the 93 products seized were seized from one premises during an investigation.

“To date in 2022, there have been no legal prosecutions initiated against any individuals/organisations for distributing illegal veterinary medicines.”

Only one seizure has been the result of an identified misuse out of more than 16,000 samples that were tested.