The authorities have seized and will destroy foodstuffs originating from animals, found in a car which arrived in Malta from Ukraine.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Environmental Health Directorate and the Veterinary Regulation Directorate together with Customs, the VAT Department and the police.

The food will be destroyed because of the risk of it carrying viruses found in Ukraine that may cause potentially highly transmissible diseases to the Maltese livestock, the authorities said. 

In a similar operation a few weeks ago, another consignment was sealed and sent back.  

The Environmental Health Directorate and the Veterinary Regulation Directorate said they will be performing further inspections to ensure that food is transported according to law.