Kazakhstan Closes Borders to Russian Livestock Amid Disease Outbreak Concerns

A professor has criticized veterinary authorities for insufficient border control following past disease outbreaks, as Kazakhstan moves to close its borders to livestock from several Russian regions. The expert pointed to the emergence of "unknown" diseases suspiciously linked to the transit or import of animals.

He cited the 2016 outbreak of lumpy skin disease in the Atyrau region as a key example, arguing that veterinary services failed to learn from this incident by tightening controls. New incidents have been recorded as recently as 2026.

In January, a shipment of cattle from Kabardino-Balkaria was turned back at the "Tazhen" checkpoint. At the "Kurmangazy" post, livestock from North Ossetia–Alania was suspected of carrying foot-and-mouth disease. On February 1st, at the "Sharbakty" checkpoint, signs of dangerous diseases were detected in cattle from Russia's Altai Krai, leading to the entire shipment being returned.

The professor emphasized that Kazakhstan's veterinary service had invested significant effort and resources into stabilizing the epizootic situation. However, he stated this did not serve as a lesson for border and transport veterinary management, which should have strengthened controls at border checkpoints long ago.

He warned that inaction posed a threat to national security. As a result, specialists convinced authorities of the necessity to close borders for the movement of animals and livestock products across Kazakhstan's territory.

In February, Kazakhstan imposed a ban on importing live cattle and meat from Altai Krai; Russia's North Caucasian Federal District (including Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia–Alania, Chechnya, and Stavropol Krai); Kalmykia; Buryatia; and Astrakhan and Novosibirsk Oblasts.

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has deemed this measure unlawful.