Azerbaijan imposes import ban on live cattle from France, Algeria

Azerbaijan is introducing restrictions on the import of all types of live large and small cattle from several regions of France and Algeria.

According to the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan (AFSA), the decision was made due to the concerning epidemiological situation regarding various dangerous animal diseases in these countries, Caliber.Az reports.

Official data from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) indicates that cases of bluetongue have been reported in the French region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Additionally, anthrax has been detected in the Algerian province of Tizi-Ouzou, while nodular dermatitis has been observed in the provinces of Ghardaïa, Blida, Batna, Tizi-Ouzou, Jijel, Boumerdès, Bouira, Béjaïa, Médéa, and Mila.

To protect Azerbaijan's territory from the incursion of these diseases, the following restrictions have been implemented, based on the principle of zoning:

• A ban on the import of all types of live cattle and small ruminants, camels, and their genetic material from farms located within a 150 km radius of the bluetongue outbreak in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

• A ban on the import and transit of hoofed animals (including cattle, small ruminants, pigs, camels, etc.), as well as any raw materials and products derived from them, from farms within a 10 km radius of the anthrax outbreak in Tizi-Ouzou.

• A prohibition on the import of live cattle and their genetic material from farms within a 50 km radius of the nodular dermatitis outbreaks in Ghardaïa, Blida, Batna, Tizi-Ouzou, Jijel, Boumerdès, Bouira, Béjaïa, Médéa, and Mila.

These measures have been introduced in accordance with the requirements of the WOAH Animal Health Code. The AFSA has also contacted the State Customs Committee to enhance monitoring of vehicles arriving from or transiting through the specified regions en route to Azerbaijan.

The Food Safety Agency is a state institution under the responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, established to ensure regulation of food security.

The agency cooperates with the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Organization for Animal Health, the International Organization for Standardization, the EU and others.

By Aghakazim Guliyev