The Kyrgyz government has made an exception to its current ban on livestock exports, allowing horses to be exported by air under specific conditions.
According to an official decree, the temporary export restrictions do not apply to horses transported via aircraft. Other permitted exceptions include the transit of livestock through Kyrgyz territory, the export of animals for participation in international competitions, and the gifting of horses to foreign dignitaries and international organizations.
The exclusive right to export horses abroad has been granted to the state-owned enterprise Kyrgyz Agroholding.
Customs and border control authorities have been ordered to step up oversight to prevent illegal animal exports.
The Cabinet of Ministers initially imposed a six-month ban on the export of cattle, horses, sheep, and goats in response to rising meat prices in the domestic market. Authorities cited the widening price gap between Kyrgyzstan and neighboring countries as a key factor, with significantly higher meat prices abroad prompting farmers to sell livestock across borders.
