Deputy Minister of Agriculture Zhanibek Kerimaliev clarified that there are slaughterhouses operating in the country that fully comply with veterinary and sanitary norms. However, he added that there are also those that do not meet these requirements, and that the Veterinary Service is taking measures to close them.
Amanova urged the Ministry of Agriculture to cooperate more actively with the PPP Center and businesses to increase the number of slaughterhouses.
During the discussion, the deputy also inquired about the number of registered outbreaks of anthrax in Kyrgyzstan.
In response, the Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Development Service Adilet Sotovaldiyev reported that there are 567 recorded outbreaks of anthrax in the country, of which 560 have been eliminated thanks to funding from local budgets.
Nevertheless, the deputy expressed doubt about this assessment, noting that the situation remains tense, one of the reasons for which is the presence of Bekkari pits. She commented: "Outbreaks may be closed, but not completely."
Note:
A biothermal pit (Bekkari pit) is a structure designed for the disposal of animal carcasses. It is built according to standard designs on dry elevated areas with low groundwater levels (no more than 2.5 m from the surface) and must be located at least 1 km away from populated areas, water bodies, wells, and livestock crossings (source).
