Ministry of Agriculture: Head of the Food and Veterinary Service did not commit a disciplinary offence
Following the launch in March this year of an investigation into a possible breach of official duties by Audronė Mikalauskienė, Director of the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT), the Ministry of Agriculture is proposing that the Government acknowledge that she did not commit any misconduct.
The draft Government resolution prepared by the Ministry proposes endorsing the conclusion reached by the commission that conducted the investigation. Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė had formed the commission from specialists at the Government Chancellery and the Ministry. The investigation was carried out following a complaint by an employee – she was dismissed in 2024 during the civil service reform.
BNS reported that the Minister for Agriculture, Andrius Palionis, had already set up a commission and, following its recommendation, proposed that the Government impose a disciplinary measure on A. Mikalauskienė – a reprimand for a breach of official duties and to demand compensation for the damage caused to the state.
At the time, Renata Sadzevičiūtė-Vilkelė, Head of the Personnel Management Division at the Government Chancellery and Chair of the commission set up by the Prime Minister, stated that the commission’s investigation would be more wide-ranging, that she would make the final decision, and that the draft Government resolution on the disciplinary measure prepared by the Ministry had been submitted “in breach of the law”.
BNS reported that, at the end of January, the Government approved an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, led by the minister delegated by “Nemuno aušra”, to carry out an audit of the activities of the Food and Veterinary Service.
I. Ruginienė stated at the time that the audit demonstrated the Government’s responsible approach towards state institutions.
At the time, the Service sought a court ruling to declare the Government’s decision to assess its activities unlawful and to have it annulled; however, on 20 May, the Regional Administrative Court refused to accept the Service’s appeal.
