Damascus, May 24 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Agriculture said it remains committed to international animal health standards following Iraq’s decision to ban the transit of Syrian sheep across its territory.
Deputy Minister for Livestock and Rural Development Ayham Abdul Qader said Syria applies all World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) requirements, including measures to prevent and control diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease through epidemiological monitoring, laboratory testing and vaccination campaigns.
He said veterinary teams continue field monitoring across Syrian governorates to ensure a rapid response to any health developments, adding that all export livestock is subject to importing countries’ requirements, including testing and quarantine measures, with health certificates issued only after full compliance.
On Saturday, Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs denied reports claiming an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock, describing the reports as baseless and not supported by any official data or confirmed epidemiological cases.
Abdul Qader said that transit approvals are granted only after verification of animal health status based on WOAH data and destination-country approval, with all shipments undergoing veterinary inspection.
He stressed continued coordination with Iraqi veterinary authorities to protect livestock health and mutual interests.
A few days earlier, Abdul Qader led Syria’s delegation to the 93rd WOAH General Assembly in Paris, where the delegation took part in sessions on animal disease control and met WOAH Director General Emmanuelle Soubeyran to discuss Syria’s livestock sector and bilateral cooperation.
M.F / ABD
