Court undermines EC 'laws'

(First Edition)

UP TO 65 prosecutions for possession of the illegal cattle growth promoter clenbuterol may collapse after a Dublin High Court ruling that found the application of an EC directive unconstitutional in Irish law.

The Dublin Government is to lodge a Supreme Court appeal against the decision, which could undermine the legal status of 500 EC directives.

Mr Justice Johnson ruled that search powers that led to 20 summonses being issued against a Co Tipperary farmer were invalid. He said that regulations issued by a minister in 1990, which added to an 1851 act, were unconstitutional and only a new Dail Act could pass the EC directive on control of veterinary medicinal products into Irish law.

Court rejects EC drug ruling