Illegal veterinary medicines imported from South Africa have been seized in Belfast after a tip-off from a courier company.
The parcel containing medicines was destined for an address in Derry but none of the products listed are authorised for use in Northern Ireland or Great Britain.
All the meds were intended for use in racing pigeons using including:
- energy boosters
- respiratory treatments
- immune activators
- an aid in treating viral diseases, and,
- electrolyte replacements to give relief from heat stress, fatigue and muscle cramping due to minerals lost to heat and perspiration.
Pigeon racing is a popular sport and hobby in Northern Ireland with thousands of fanciers and hundreds of clubs with strict membership rules including the treatment of pigeons, their breeding, racing and upkeep.
Read more: NI Animal Welfare laws 'not fit for purpose' in 2023
The seized package was not accompanied by any relevant certification to permit their import. Checks by the courier company tasked with delivering the package alerted them to the nature of the contents.
And the company contacted the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs who have the powers seize items and investigate the matter.
The package contained:
- 11 x 500g tubs of Entero Plus for avians
- 5 x 250g tubs of Medilyte for racing pigeons and cage birds
2 x 250g tubs of Medimune Powder for pigeons and avians
- 5 x 200g tubs of Speed Plus for pigeons
- 9 x 100g tubs of Tylodox for pigeons
The medicines were detained and subsequently seized by an officer from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) were seized under Regulation 25 (Importation of unauthorised veterinary medicinal products) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.
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