Kazakhstan Receives Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status
Kazakhstan has received international recognition from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as having foot-and-mouth disease-free zones covering its entire territory, making it the only country in Central and East Asia with this status, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture. The decision was adopted during the WOAH’s 93rd General Session in Paris. The certificate was presented to Kazakhstan's delegation on May 22. The status, granted to zones recognized as free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination, is considered one of the most important international veterinary certifications and can provide access to more profitable export markets for livestock products. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture said the recognition was the result of a large-scale modernization of the country’s veterinary system and the restoration of international sanitary status for a number of animal diseases. Kazakhstan also annually confirms its official disease-free status for African horse sickness and classical swine fever, while maintaining WOAH self-declarations for highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever. “Today, the entire territory of the country is covered by internationally recognized zones free from foot-and-mouth disease with vaccination, which is an important result of the state’s systematic work,” Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said. The new status is already contributing to the expansion of export markets for agricultural products from Kazakhstan, the ministry said. According to the Agriculture Ministry, China has opened its market to imports of slaughter cattle, beef hides, and poultry meat from Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan has authorized imports of camels, beef and lamb products, dairy goods, honey, and fish. Mongolia has opened its market to live small livestock, while Iraq has approved imports of cattle and sheep for slaughter. In addition, Georgia has authorized imports of cattle from Kazakhstan and small livestock, Iran has opened its market to hides and wool from hoofed animals, and the European Union has approved imports of honey from Kazakhstan. WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran, during a meeting with Saparov, said Kazakhstan demonstrates a “consistent and systematic approach” to developing its veterinary services and implementing international standards. She also proposed that Astana share its experience in veterinary system modernization with other WOAH member states. The recognition comes amid growing agricultural exports from Kazakhstan. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the country significantly increased exports of meat and livestock products in 2025.
