Ukraine has been named as one of the world’s safest countries in livestock disease terms by the International Epizootic Organisation.

The accolade was awarded during the 70th session of the organisation’s International Committee. S. Ryzhouk, minister of agrarian policy, applauded the country’s new found status, confirming that Ukraine had been free from foot-and-mouth disease for eight years and was still not required to vaccinate.

It was reported independently that Ukraine’s cattle population increased 2% in April compared with March to 206,800 head, bringing the total to 10,336,700 on May 1. The cow population was up 0.5% or 24,300 head to 4,977,000 with the increase being 0.4% (38,300 head) year on year. The production of meat during the period January-April 2002 climbed 5.5% year on year to 769,100 tonnes, with the biggest rises being seen at former collective enterprises where output was up 26.4%. Sales of domestic animals and poultry meanwhile have been forecast to rise 21% to 2.8 million tons in 2002.