This case not only raises questions about transparency in slaughter control but also opens up legal aspects, from administrative violations to criminal possibility.
Placing a square quarantine mark on meat with signs of disease is against regulations
On June 8, the leader of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Medicine - Fisheries of Hau Giang province confirmed: The Ministry of Public Security and specialized units under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have stepped in to verify the information of a resident who "accused" CP Company. selling sick pork to the market.
The complainant is Mr. L.Q.N. (40 years old, living in Soc Trang province), used to work at Nguyen Dan slaughterhouse (Chau Thanh district, Hau Giang).
According to Mr. N., during his time working at the facility, he witnessed many times pork with abdominal throbs and severe bleeding but was still stamped with a square slaughter control stamp - the type of stamp used for meat that has been inspected and met safety standards.The photos and videos he provided quickly spread on social media, attracting public attention.
Previously, at a regular press conference, Ms. Nguyen Thu Thuy - Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Health - confirmed that marking the quarantine square on meat with signs of disease is a serious violation of regulations.
According to professional instructions, meat with signs of disease must be treated with heat or destroyed. The quarantine mark in these cases must be circular ( Veterinary hygiene treatment) or triangular (destroyed). The use of square signs in this case is considered to have "fake signs".
Analyzing the case from a legal perspective, lawyer Hoang Van Ha (ARC Law Firm, Hanoi) commented: Using the wrong identification stamp can constitute the act of forging documents of an agency or organization - according to Article 341 of the Penal Code, if there is evidence that the inspection stamp was used for the wrong purpose.
Depending on the severity of the consequences, violators may also be prosecuted for other crimes such as defrauding customers (Article 198) or violating food safety regulations (Article 317), with a penalty of up to 20 years in prison if causing particularly serious consequences.
In particular, in cases where there are veterinary officers who know about the sick pigs but still have incorrect inspection stamps, this individual may be prosecuted for criminal liability for lack of responsibility causing serious consequences, or taking advantage of their position and authority in performing official duties.
If the enterprise has instructions or consensus, the individuals involved can also be considered accomplices or organizers of the violation.
The whistleblower faces risks, is the protection system operating properly?
One factor that has attracted public attention is the safety of whistleblowers. Mr. L.Q.N. said he had been threatened, even assaulted after making the incident public.
I am not afraid of revenge. I just want people to know exactly what I'm eating. Whoever did wrong must be held responsible" - Mr. N. shared.
According to lawyer Hoang Van Ha, the 2018 Reprimand Law clearly stipulates the protection of whistleblowers, from identity, health, property to dignity and job position. However, he also frankly admitted: In fact, many people are still concerned when reporting violations due to lack of confidence in the protection mechanism, or have witnessed the whistleblower being subtly and silently rewarded.
Information from the Department of Industry and Trade of Hau Giang province said: 3/4 of the stores in the product distribution chain from Nguyen Dan slaughterhouse have expired their food safety certificate. This further raises concerns about laxity in supervision, inspection and post-inspection - from slaughter to distribution.
