Russia Imposes Restrictions on Imports from Selenge Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease
The Rosselkhoznadzor announced temporary restrictions on the import of products from the Selenge aimag, located in Mongolia, to Russia. This measure, effective from September 29, 2026, is due to a worsening epizootic situation regarding foot-and-mouth disease in Mongolia.
The ban includes large and small cattle, pigs, reindeer, camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, as well as susceptible wild, zoo, and circus animals. The restrictions extend to breeding materials: bull, ram, boar, and buck semen, as well as cattle and pig embryos.
The import of milk and dairy products from cattle, meat, and slaughter products of susceptible species is also temporarily banned. The list includes hunting trophies, hides, hoof and horn raw materials, sheepskins, furs, wool, goat down, and bristles.
The restrictions cover feeds and feed additives containing animal-derived components from susceptible animals, as well as plant-based feeds. An exception is made for feed additives and thermally processed finished feed for cats, dogs, ferrets, polecats, minks, rodents, aquarium and terrarium animals, and decorative birds.
The import of earthworms, their cocoons, vermiculture, and substrates for cultivation, including soil, peat, compost, vermicompost, manure, and plant parts, is temporarily banned. The measure also concerns used equipment for housing, slaughtering, and processing susceptible animals, as well as finished animal products in factory packaging if carried by individuals in hand luggage or baggage for personal use.
The transit of live animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease originating from Selenge aimag through Russia is also restricted. Previously issued permits for the import and transit of these goods from this administrative territory have been canceled.
According to WOAH data as of September 8, 2026, foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks were registered in 12 countries in Asia, including Mongolia and China, in nine countries in Africa, and in Greece. The disease is not registered in Russia. Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral disease of domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals; it is characterized by fever and lesions on the mucous membranes of the mouth, udder skin, and limbs. The disease can also be transmitted to humans.
The Rosselkhoznadzor recommends that owners of susceptible animals prevent environmental contamination with livestock waste and provide animals for inspection by state veterinary service specialists. Sudden death, illness, or behavioral changes in animals indicating a potential infection should be reported within 24 hours.
Suspected disease cases require the isolation of affected or suspicious animals, those that contacted them, and the carcasses of fallen animals, as well as compliance with veterinary anti-epizootic requirements. The agency separately urged not to mix animals from different herds while grazing and watering, not to purchase animals and slaughter products in unauthorized trade areas, and not to import animals and products from other regions without veterinary accompanying documents.
