Anthrax cases disrupt Kazakhstan’s meat exports to China

Almaty. July 11. Silkroadnews – The situation with anthrax in Kazakhstan disrupts plans on meat exports to China, KazTAG reports.

“The inspectors from China’s Veterinary Committee came here, they gave a positive assessment of our (veterinary – Silkroadnews) system, but recent outbreaks (of anthrax – Silkroadnews) slowed down the work process. One of the questions we raised is a closer attention to the veterinary issues to be paid by the state,” said the head of the Kazakhstani meat union (KMU) Maksut Baktibaev at the union extraordinary meeting on Monday.

As the epidemiological situation’s well-being affects the country’s export potential as a whole, the government should strengthen the veterinary control, KMU members believe.

Earlier M. Baktibaev proposed to introduce an automated system to trace the whole livestock production process to stop the uncontrolled movement of livestock products and cattle, toughen the responsibility of local executive bodies to comply with the rules of identification of animals and cattle slaughtering and slaughter units’ certification, strengthen the veterinary control at the markets. If these measures are not taken, members of the Kazakhstani meat union suggest, there is a threat to get the Kazakhstani meat products exports disrupted for the markets of China and Iran.

“According to KMU forecasts, next year revenue from the sale of 500 tonnes of beef in China shall amount to $300 million. With this, after organization of a stable supply of high-quality beef the enterprises will be ready to abandon the government subsidies,” the information released explains.

Outbreaks of anthrax have been reported in four regions of Kazakhstan – Karaganda, Almaty, Pavlodar and East Kazakhstan regions.