Syria denies foot-and-mouth disease claims after Iraq restriction
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Border Crossings and Customs Authority on Saturday denied reports issued by Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture claiming the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Syria, following Baghdad’s decision to restrict the transit of livestock shipments.
The General Director of Public Relations at the authority, Mazen Alloush, said the reports about a widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Syria are “completely untrue” and are not based on any official reports or confirmed field cases.
Alloush stated to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that Syrian authorities directly communicated with the Iraqi side, stressing that the information is fully denied.
He added: “There is no epidemic or disease outbreak in Syria that justifies such measures, especially since decisions related to veterinary quarantine or import and transit bans must be based on documented and verified cases according to international veterinary standards, not on unconfirmed information or inaccurate estimates.”
According to Alloush, livestock exports from Syria continue normally through Jordan and via Syrian seaports without any recorded health observations or objections from importing countries, which, he said, contradicts the circulating claims of any outbreak.
He further noted: “We are continuing communication with the Iraqi side to address this issue and stop any unjustified measures that could harm breeders, traders, and the flow of trade between the two countries.”
Earlier, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture announced a temporary suspension of livestock transit shipments from Syria heading to Iraq and Gulf countries, describing the measure as “preventive and precautionary.”
The Iraqi ministry said the decision was taken “following accurate information confirming the spread of foot-and-mouth disease affecting cattle and sheep in several Syrian provinces.”