Russia's plant and animal health watchdog bans importing, transiting sheep, goats from Bulgaria, Romania as of Aug 5 owing to pox outbreaks

MOSCOW. Aug 5 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has banned importing and transiting sheep and goats from Bulgaria and Romania as of August 5 owing to outbreaks of pox in these animals as registered in the respective countries.

Rosselkhoznadzor said that in addition to live animals, the restriction applies to other animals susceptible to the disease and goods subject to state veterinary supervision. Controlled goods include finished products made from mutton and goat meat, milk and dairy products, animal feed and other raw materials and products obtained from the slaughter of sheep and goats, as well as equipment used for their maintenance, slaughter and processing.

Rosselkhoznadzor has cited data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding 11 outbreaks of sheep pox and goat pox having been confirmed in Bulgaria since July 20, 2025, and seven in Romania since July 17, 2025.

Rosselkhoznadzor has not received any information on measures taken by the veterinary services of these countries to prevent the spread and eradicate the disease.

As reported, supplies of livestock products from Bulgaria and Romania are also limited by Russia's food embargo that has been in force since August 2014. The embargo applies to a number of countries, including European Union countries.