“Based on the assessment of the dossier submitted by the Rosselkhoznadzor, a decision was made to officially recognize zone 5 “Far East” as FMD-free with vaccination,” the service said in a statement.
This zone includes the Amur Region, the Khabarovsk, Primorsky, and Trans-Baikal Territories, and the Jewish Autonomous Region.
“This territory is characterized by a long land border with FMD-affected countries, such as China and Mongolia,” the Rosselkhoznadzor said.
Service officials observed that a number of requirements have to be met in order to maintain the FMD-free status, which include transportation requirements for animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease (cattle, pigs, and camels) and for animal food products such as meat and milk.
Reminder: Besides zone 5, there are four more areas in Russia that are recognized by WOAH as FMD-free zones. These include the majority of Russian regions.
In addition, during the General Session of WOAH, Russia confirmed being free from peste des petits ruminants (PPR-free status), contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP-free status), and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE-free status).
Disease-free status affects the export of animal products.
