Russia lifts ban on meat exports from Kazakhstan

Kazakh and Russian veterinary services, as well as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) have concerted efforts to eliminate the disease. A few years ago for safety when moving livestock products within the Customs Union, a buffer zone on the territory of Almaty, Kyzylorda, South Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan regions has been created. Thus, the export of meat and transport of animals from these regions to other areas of the republic and Russia have been so far banned. In August 2014 Rosselkhoznadzor lifted restrictions on meat import from East Kazakhstan region. To date Rosselkhoznadzor has lifted ban on meat exports from all regions of Kazakhstan. It should be noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has filed two applications for gaining an official status of a country free of FMD. It is expected that Kazakhstan will gain the status during the next session of the OIE Assembly in May 2015. This will allow Kazakhstan to export animal products to the EU and the WTO. It is worth noting that as of December 19, 2014 Kazakhstan exported 11,908.33 tons of meat and meat products.