A number of cattle seized by the Department of Agriculture and Food's special investigation unit (SIU) in the south-east were found to have been treated with a drug banned by the EU over fears it may cause cancer in humans.
The Department confirmed yesterday that nine of 12 animals seized from six farms in the region shortly before Christmas had been treated with the drug furazolidone.
The drug is an antimicrobial substance effective in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria in poultry, cattle, pigs, rabbits and fish, and had been used to treat scour in cattle.
The use of furazolidone in food-producing animals has been banned under EU and national legislation since 1995 because of serious risks to public health.
The Department confirmed yesterday a file had been sent to the DPP's office and investigations were continuing into the case, which came to light just over a month ago.
It began when the SIU, which was set up to combat the abuse of "angel dust" and other illegal growth promoters, visited a farm in the south-east and seized a quantity of powder identified as furazolidone.
In a follow-up investigation in December a number of herd-owners were visited.
In each case the background to the investigation and the nature of the substance were explained to the herd-owner.
The substance was seized on one of these farms.
On each farm, the animals to whom the substance may have been administered were identified, and a restriction notice prohibiting the movement of these animals was served on the herd-owners.
Blood samples were also taken from the cattle.
Confirmation that nine of the 12 animals seized were found to have been treated with the banned drug came yesterday from the Department, which said that the cattle involved had been destroyed.
It is understood that none of the farmers involved will be prosecuted because they had been unaware they had been using a banned drug.
However, the supplier of the medicine is expected to face charges under the Animal Remedies Act.