Pakistan, the cause of foot-and-mouth disease in Iran

IRAN - Due to the deficit of red meat production that has intensified in recent years and caused price increase in the market, the import of meat in different forms, even in the form of live and fattening livestock, is being done.

In the meantime, the import of live cattle and red meat with bones from Pakistan, which has lower health standards than Iran, and foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent in this country, has created serious risks for the country's animal husbandry, and the extension of this disease have been created in the country.

This issue has also brought the reaction of the head of the veterinary organization and Alireza Rafieipour has stated in this connection that the livestock or red meat is legally imported into the country is in compliance with health regulations and does not contain the disease pathogen, but the illegal import of this product is also done to the country.

Ahmad Moghdasi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Iranian Cattlemen's Association said: “We are trying to prevent the import of live livestock from Pakistan, but unfortunately no attention has been paid to this issue."
Pointing out that the import of live livestock and red meat from Pakistan is still running, he said: "While the disease has been transmitted from Pakistan to Iran, the import of these products still continues.” 
He clarified: “We have case-by-case reports of foot and mouth disease and infected centers in the country, but the disease prevalence is prevented in the country.”

Import of live livestock should be stopped to prevent viral diseases
Regarding this issue Mojtaba Aali, cattlemen union CEO stated: “There is a conflict of this disease in the whole country, and in order to prevent the transmission of viral diseases to the country, the import of livestock into the country should be stopped.”