In a statement, ASAE states that the company in question is one whose activity license has been suspended - and which operated in that district, without specifying the location -, but which continued to operate without having a Veterinary Control Number.

During the inspection operation, as part of the fight against criminal offences against public health, 6,670 cheeses, 12 balls of cottage cheese, 120 litres of whey and 380 litres of raw sheep's milk were seized, products with an estimated value of 14,821 euros, it was stated.

According to the entity, the Veterinary Control Number is “a mandatory requirement for operators involved in the production, processing, distribution and placing on the market of products of animal origin”.

Due to the fact that the company continued to operate without the aforementioned number, ASAE instituted criminal proceedings for disobedience and maintained the determination to suspend the activity.

ASAE states that it will continue to carry out inspection actions, within the scope of its powers, throughout the national territory, in favour of fair competition between economic operators, in order to safeguard food safety and the public health of consumers.