Eco
The Ministry of Agriculture announced today, Friday, the suspension of (transit) entry of live animals from Syria towards Iraq and the Gulf countries to protect livestock due to the outbreak of (foot-and-mouth disease).
The ministry stated in a statement: "A temporary preventive and precautionary measure has been taken to suspend the transit movement of live animals coming from Syria and heading towards Iraq and the Gulf countries," indicating that "this decision came against the backdrop of receiving accurate information confirming the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which affects cattle and sheep in a number of Syrian provinces."
The ministry explained that "this immediate measure aims to protect local livestock wealth and prevent the leakage or transmission of cross-border epidemic diseases," noting that "health and veterinary measures are applied firmly and without discrimination to all countries, based on official reports, the epidemiological surveillance system, and continuous media follow-up of the health situation in neighboring countries."
In a related context, the Ministry of Agriculture warned against "attempts to publish misleading information aimed at confusing citizens and questioning the efficiency of the veterinary procedures followed."
The ministry emphasized that its utmost priority "lies in maintaining food security, protecting citizens' health, and immunizing livestock in the country against any epidemic risks."
