On September 10, 2025, at the initiative of the territorial inspection of the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a roundtable discussion was held in Shymkent with the participation of directors of domestic trade facilities, heads of veterinary and sanitary expert laboratories located at markets, and representatives of slaughterhouses.

The event was aimed at a comprehensive discussion of issues related to ensuring veterinary and sanitary safety, improving the operation of meat processing plants and slaughterhouses, and strengthening quality control over products sold in city markets.

The organizers emphasized that the main goal of the roundtable is to develop concrete solutions to ensure the safety of animal products reaching retail shelves. This directly impacts public health, consumer confidence, and the reputation of businesses.

Particular attention was paid to the need for strict adherence to sanitary standards , since it is through livestock products that dangerous infections and diseases are most often spread.

Representatives of the Shymkent Territorial Inspectorate of the Veterinary and Sanitary Supervision Service noted that in recent years, cases of products being sold without the necessary veterinary documentation have been uncovered. Such incidents not only undermine public trust but also pose a direct threat to public health.

In this regard, the inspectorate intends to strengthen scheduled and unscheduled inspections, as well as conduct preventative outreach work with entrepreneurs.

A separate section of discussion was devoted to the operations of slaughterhouses. Participants noted that violations continue to be observed at a number of facilities, including failure to comply with sanitary requirements and the lack of specialized facilities or properly completed documentation.

Business leaders are advised to:

• bring slaughterhouses and meat processing plants into compliance with sanitary regulations;

• ensure training of personnel in sanitary standards and rules for handling animals;

• Strengthen internal veterinary control at every stage of work.

This will not only improve product quality, but also bring work standards closer to international requirements.

The functioning of veterinary and sanitary laboratories at markets featured prominently in the discussion. Participants emphasized that laboratory testing prevents potentially dangerous products from reaching shelves.

The need was discussed:

• implementation of modern technologies for diagnostics and analysis of products;

• improving the professional training of laboratory specialists;

• speeding up research procedures without compromising the quality of the examination.

During the round table, the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Veterinary Medicine" were explained, in particular Article 25, which defines the responsibilities of individuals and legal entities.

According to the law, every entrepreneur is obliged to:

• have all the necessary veterinary certificates and documents for the products sold;

• store and transport products in accordance with established rules;

• comply with sanitary and veterinary standards at all stages of production and sales.

Inspectors reminded that failure to comply with these standards entails administrative and even criminal liability.

Representatives of retail outlets and laboratories noted in their speeches that joint efforts by businesses and government agencies are necessary to improve product quality and safety. Many entrepreneurs expressed their willingness to support the inspection in raising public awareness and increasing trust in the city's markets.

Following the meeting, a series of measures were outlined that will be implemented in the near future:

1. Regular inspections of slaughterhouses and laboratories.

2. Implementation of new technologies for analyzing the quality of meat and other animal products.

3. Expanding outreach efforts among entrepreneurs on compliance with veterinary legislation.

4. Formation of a culture of safe food consumption among the population .

Thus, a comprehensive improvement in the level of sanitary safety in Shymkent is planned.

The roundtable discussion held on September 10, 2025, marked an important step in strengthening the quality control system for animal products. Participants reached a common conclusion: food safety and the health of citizens are a shared responsibility of the state, business, and society.

Inspectorate representatives emphasized that work to ensure veterinary and sanitary safety will continue on a systematic basis. Only coordinated collaboration between all parties will achieve tangible results and guarantee Shymkent residents access to high-quality and safe products.