Kazakhstan Closes Borders to Russian Livestock Amid Disease Outbreak Concerns

Professor Gabbas Absatirov has raised serious concerns about the emergence of new livestock diseases in Kazakhstan, linking them directly to imports and criticizing the work of the national veterinary service. He pointed to a pattern of "unknown" illnesses that suspiciously coincide with the transit or importation of animals.

One such incident occurred in the summer of 2016 when nodular dermatitis was first detected in the Atyrau region. According to Absatirov, this case should have served as a critical lesson for border and transport veterinary control, prompting a significant tightening of inspections. However, he argues that this did not happen, leading to new incidents in 2026.

The professor detailed several recent alarming cases at border checkpoints. In January, livestock from Kabardino-Balkaria was turned back at the "Tazhen" crossing. At the "Kurmangazy" post, animals from North Ossetia–Alania were suspected of carrying foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Then, on February 1st, a shipment from the Altai Krai at the "Sharbakty" post showed signs of dangerous diseases and was also returned.

Absatirov emphasized that Kazakhstan's veterinary service had invested considerable effort and resources into stabilizing the epizootic situation. "Nevertheless," he stated, "this was not taken as a lesson by the veterinary management for borders and transport, which should have tightened control at border veterinary checkpoints back then. Situations with transboundary pathologies in various regions of Kazakhstan have been recorded in 2026 as well."

He highlighted the particularly dire situation with foot-and-mouth disease in neighboring Russia, describing it as "extremely unfavorable." The professor warned that inaction posed a direct threat to national security. This argument ultimately convinced authorities of the necessity to close borders for the movement of animals and livestock products.

In response to these threats, Kazakhstan imposed a ban in February on importing live cattle and meat from several Russian regions. The restricted areas include Altai Krai; republics of the North Caucasus Federal District (Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia–Alania, Chechnya); Stavropol Krai; Kalmykia; Buryatia; Astrakhan Oblast; and Novosibirsk Oblast.

The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has deemed this measure by Kazakhstan unlawful.