Kazakhstan has imposed temporary import restrictions on cattle, small ruminants, camelids, and reproductive materials from Serbia and Hungary due to bluetongue disease risks.
Kazakhstan Bans Animal Imports from Serbia and Hungary
Temporary restrictions on livestock and reproductive materials due to bluetongue disease.
What changed
Imports banned from Serbia of cattle, small ruminants, wild animals, camelids, and reproductive materials.
Imports banned from Hungary of cattle, small ruminants, wild animals, camelids, and reproductive materials.
Exception allowed for in vivo-derived embryos under OIE Chapter 4.8 provisions.
Who it affects
Importers of livestock from Serbia and Hungary must halt shipments of affected animals.
Breeders and genetic material suppliers cannot ship semen and embryos from these countries.
Key dates
Regulation Analysis: Temporary Import Restrictions Due to Bluetongue Disease in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has imposed temporary import restrictions on specific livestock and reproductive materials from Serbia and Hungary due to confirmed outbreaks of bluetongue disease, a viral disease affecting ruminants and camelids. The restrictions are grounded in the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code and are enforced by the Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Below is a structured breakdown of the restrictions, their scope, and compliance requirements.
1. Scope of Restrictions
The restrictions apply to the following products and animal categories from Serbia and Hungary1, 2:
| Category | Included Items |
|---|---|
| Live Animals | Cattle, small ruminants (e.g., sheep, goats), wild/zoo/circus animals susceptible to bluetongue, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas1, 2. |
| Reproductive Materials | Semen of bulls, rams, and goats; embryos of cattle and small ruminants1, 2. |
| Transit Restrictions (Serbia only) | Transit of cattle, small ruminants, and susceptible species through Kazakhstan1. |
Exceptions:
- Reproductive materials (semen/embryos) obtained in vivo in compliance with Chapter 4.8 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code are exempt1, 2.
2. Key Requirements and Deadlines
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Ban (Hungary) | Prohibition on imports of listed animals and reproductive materials from Hungary2. | 19 December 2025 | Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture2. |
| Import Ban (Serbia) | Prohibition on imports of listed animals and reproductive materials from Serbia1. | 21 November 2025 | Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture1. |
| Transit Ban (Serbia) | Prohibition on transit of cattle, small ruminants, and susceptible species through Kazakhstan1. | 21 November 2025 | Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture1. |
| WOAH Compliance | Restrictions align with Chapter 8.3 of the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code1, 2. | N/A | World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)1, 2. |
3. Rationale and Legal Basis
- Objective: The restrictions aim to protect animal health, prevent food safety risks, and shield humans from zoonotic disease transmission1, 2.
- Urgent Problem: Bluetongue disease outbreaks in Serbia and Hungary, as officially notified by WOAH1, 2.
- International Standard: The measures conform to WOAH Chapter 8.3 (bluetongue disease control)1, 2.
4. Enforcement and Compliance
- Responsible Agency: Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance, Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan1, 2.
- Contact for Inquiries:
Summary Answer
Kazakhstan has implemented temporary import restrictions on cattle, small ruminants, camelids, and reproductive materials (semen/embryos) from Serbia (effective 21 November 2025) and Hungary (effective 19 December 2025) due to bluetongue disease risks1, 2. The bans include transit restrictions for Serbia and exempt only reproductive materials obtained in vivo under WOAH Chapter 4.81, 2. These measures align with WOAH Chapter 8.3 and are enforced by the Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance1, 2. For compliance inquiries, stakeholders may contact the Ministry of Trade and Integration1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NKAZ221.docx
- ↩ docs.wto.org — imrd / directdoc — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NKAZ222.docx