Rosselkhoznadzor bans all livestock product imports to Russia from EU starting Jan 20 due to foot-and-mouth disease threat

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) is introducing a ban on imports of all livestock products from the EU starting January 20 due to the threat of foot-and-mouth disease.

"Following the precautionary principle and to prevent the introduction of the pathogen, Rosselkhoznadzor is suspending, as of January 20, 2025, the certification of all animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease and all state veterinary-controlled products derived from these animals transported from the European Union to Russia, including the transit of such goods through Russian territory to third countries," the agency said.

It was previously reported that foot-and-mouth disease was detected in a herd of buffalo on a farm in the suburbs of Berlin. More than 10 countries have already imposed bans on livestock product imports.

The supply of major types of livestock products from the EU is currently not being carried out, as it has been banned under the food embargo in effect since August 2014. The exception applies to certain types of live animals, excluding pigs.