Novosibirsk Lifts Quarantine That Triggered Mass Cattle Culls

June 12, 2026 Kirill Kukhmar / TASS Authorities in the Novosibirsk region have lifted quarantine measures over what they claimed as an “unusual” form of an infectious disease that in part triggered government-enforced mass cattle culls earlier this year. Around 90,000 cattle were culled across nine Russian regions, including Novosibirsk, between February and March. Russian officials blamed the drastic measures on rabies and an “unusual mutated form” of pasteurellosis. In Novosibirsk alone, analysts estimate half of the 6,800 cattle on affected farms were slaughtered, resulting in losses exceeding 235 million rubles ($3.1 million). “All quarantine restrictions previously introduced due to an infectious disease among livestock have been officially lifted,” the regional agriculture ministry announced Friday. The head of its veterinary department said beef, other animal meat and products that have cleared veterinary inspection could now be sold freely throughout the Novosibirsk region. The ministry also allowed for the transportation of livestock across the region under the close supervision of veterinary specialists. The unhindered transportation and sale of live animals and animal products outside the Novosibirsk region will be allowed after the veterinary specialists restore its health status. Despite the authorities’ claims, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s foreign service suggested the culls may have actually been a response to an unconfirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious and often fatal virus. That theory gained traction after Kazakhstan banned imports of Russian meat and livestock. Russia’s agriculture watchdog has dismissed the allegation. Read more about: Novosibirsk , Agriculture Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Novosibirsk Agriculture Minister Fired After Mass Cattle Culls Spark Farmer Protests The sacked minister became the target of national ridicule last month after a video showed him running away from a farm owner seeking an explanation for... 2 Min read Regions Calling: Siberian Farmers Abandon Livestock Standoff The Novosibirsk region has culled thousands of cows and other livestock, putting livelihoods at risk. Farmers in other regions worry they may be next. 4 Min read Regions Calling: In Russia, All Eyes Are on Siberia’s Farmers Small farmers across Siberia are fiercely defending their livestock in defiance of government orders to cull thousands of animals. 7 Min read Voronezh Declares Emergency in Key Farming Districts After Storms Devastate Crops Voronezh ranks among the country’s top five grain producers and is a major supplier of sugar beets. 2 Min read