The Food Security Committee under the Government of Tajikistan has confirmed that an outbreak of lumpy skin disease among cattle led to Russia’s ban on livestock imports.  Officials have also explained the disappearance of homemade milk from the capital’s markets.

At a news conference in Dushanbe, representatives of the Food Security Committee on January 28 confirmed the presence of lumpy skin disease among cattle, which prompted Russia’s Ministry of Agriculture to impose restrictions.

In May 2024, Russia banned the import of all animals, livestock products, animal feed, as well as dogs, cats, and pet birds—even when accompanied by their owners.  The restrictions were introduced due to the spread of the disease.

According to the Food Security Committee, cases of lumpy skin disease were recorded among cattle in Tajikistan last year.

"There have been no significant livestock losses that could negatively affect the consumer market or the livestock industry.  The disease spread due to rising temperatures," explained the head of the Veterinary Department.

In response, 200,755 doses of vaccines were allocated last year to combat the disease and eliminate potential sources of infection.

However, officials did not disclose the exact number of infected animals or provide a timeline for when Russia might lift the restrictions.

Where has homemade milk gone?

The news conference also addressed the disappearance of homemade (unpasteurized) milk from markets in Dushanbe.

In 2024, the Food Security Committee, the Sanitary-Epidemiological Service, and the Tajikstandart Agency issued a joint resolution requiring unpasteurized milk to be sold exclusively in disposable containers.

According to officials, the decline in the number of milk sellers in the capital may be linked to this decision. However, they did not explain how the policy is being enforced.

Regarding the temporary ban on private milk deliveries to Dushanbe at the end of 2024, the committee stated that it was due to an outbreak of brucellosis in one of the country’s villages.

"The disease was detected in a jamoat in the city of Vahdat.  We conducted monitoring, tested all cattle in the area, and temporarily banned milk imports from the region to the capital," officials explained.

Meanwhile, the Committee’s press release revealed that revenue from food security checkpoints (including phytosanitary inspections at the border) reached about 14.5 million somonis last year.

The Committee’s total revenue from paid services in 2024 exceeded 30 million somonis.

News conference tension

Journalists noted that the Committee did not answer all questions.  For nearly half of the one-hour press conference, officials simply read aloud from a press release, even though every journalist already had a copy.  Only after persistent demands from the media did the speakers begin addressing their questions.