Russia Challenges Kazakhstan's Livestock Import Ban as Unlawful

In February, Kazakhstan imposed a ban on the import of livestock and meat from several Russian regions. The affected areas include the Altai region, the North Caucasus Federal District (comprising the republics of Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia, North Ossetia–Alania, Chechnya, and Stavropol Krai), as well as Kalmykia, Buryatia, and the Astrakhan and Novosibirsk oblasts.

The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has formally contested this decision. The service stated that it sent an official letter to Kazakhstan's Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision under the Ministry of Agriculture, declaring the imposed restrictions unlawful.

Rosselkhoznadzor emphasized that according to the treaty establishing the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), veterinary and sanitary measures must be based on scientific principles. Such measures should only be applied to the extent necessary to protect human life and health, as well as animal and plant health.

Previously, Kazakhstan's veterinary committee explained that the restrictions on importing and transiting live animals and livestock products were introduced due to an outbreak of pasteurellosis in Russia. The Kazakh authorities assured that the measures would be lifted once the situation stabilizes and the safety of both products and animals is confirmed.