Russia increasing live cattle exports - Rosselkhoznadzor

MOSCOW. Dec 15 (Interfax) - The Russian agricultural sector is increasing live cattle exports amid a favorable epizootic situation in the country, with 720,000 head having been sent abroad to date.

This year, exports of cattle amounted to 290,000 head, exports of pigs totaled 270,000 head and exports of small ruminants were 160,000 head, the Rossiya-24 television channel said, citing an interview with the head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) Sergei Dankvert.

The increase in exports was facilitated not only by the favorable epizootic situation but also by the introduction of animal identification, Dankvert said.

Buyers of Russian livestock include Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Russia also assists neighboring countries in combating dangerous animal diseases. In particular, 20 million doses of vaccines have already been supplied to them this year compared to 14 million doses last year.

Rosselkhoznadzor also confirmed the earlier forecast for meat exports this year at the level of 1 million tonnes.