The Eurasian Economic Union Standardizes Animal Disease Control Rules
Plans were announced on October 1 at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council for Cooperation in Veterinary Medicine, held in Minsk. The meeting was attended by Aleksandr Subbotin, Minister for Technical Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Representatives from CIS countries, including the Eurasian Economic Union states and the World Organisation for Animal Health, also participated in the discussions.
The unified rules for prevention, containment, and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease have already been implemented in the union countries. The next disease to receive similar protocols is African swine fever, with unified regulations expected to be approved by the end of 2026. Nodular cattle dermatitis remains a separate area of focus.
Subbotin stated that veterinary issues "know no borders." According to him, an outbreak of animal disease in one region of the world can pose risks beyond its borders, making professional cooperation and joint readiness essential. He identified the objective of the meeting as developing proactive solutions for biological and food security.
Participants also considered updates to unified veterinary requirements for products subject to veterinary control. The Eurasian Economic Union states aim to align these standards with the international norms of the World Organisation for Animal Health. These requirements apply to the organization of veterinary control for goods moved between countries within the common market.
Separate discussions covered cooperation with the World Organisation for Animal Health's offices in Moscow and Astana. As part of their collaboration, the Eurasian Economic Union and union states conduct annual seminars for veterinary specialists. These events are designed to enhance the competence of national veterinary services.
The developing system includes common response protocols for specific diseases, uniform requirements for regulated goods, harmonization of standards with international guidelines, collaboration with an international veterinary organization, and regular training of specialists. The nearest targeted milestone is the adoption of Eurasian Economic Union rules for African swine fever by the end of 2026.
