Belarus restricts Lithuanian cattle imports

Belarus has temporarily restricted the import of cattle and small ruminants from Lithuania, due to outbreaks of the Schmallenberg virus, officials have reported.

The Department of Veterinary and Food Control at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Belarus stated, "according to information available to the Department, animals have tested positive for the Schmallenberg virus in Lithuania. Belarus has therefore imposed temporary restrictions on imports from the country and the transit of domestic and wild cattle and small ruminants from Lithuania, as well as genetic material from these species."

Veterinary services in Russia and Belarus are working on increasing the number of scientific studies of the virus, since the virus has recently spread to Eastern Europe.

Export of domestic and wild cattle and small ruminants from the EU to the Russian Federation are now only permitted under certain conditions.

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