Uzbekistan bans EU meat imports

The central Asian state of Uzbekistan has banned imports of meat and meat products from European Union countries in a bid to keep foot-and-mouth disease out.

The former Soviet republic has charged its national veterinary service with preventing the spread of the contagious viral disease.

Uzbekistan is also concerned about outbreaks of foot-and-mouth in neighbouring Central Asian countries, particularly tiny Kyrgyzstan where the disease has been discovered in six out of seven regions.

The Uzbek authorities have provided all border posts with disinfectant, and more than 5,000 veterinary specialists have been asked to work on preventing the disease from entering the country, the Ria Novosti news agancy reported.

AFP