DUBAI, 5 August — The Dubai Municipality has expressed its surprise over a decision by Saudi Commerce Ministry to suspend import of meat processed in the United Arab Emirates, saying the decision lacked precision.
In a statement issued yesterday, the municipality said the Saudi ministry did not consult the UAE authorities before taking the decision.
The statement said the UAE government knew about the ban only through the media, adding that such decisions would affect the interests of traders and hamper the efforts to establish a common GCC market.
The municipality, while expressing its surprise, asked why UAE meat, which is welcome in other countries, is being banned by a GCC member country.
The municipality criticized a report issued by a Saudi delegation after inspecting some UAE meat factories, saying the Kingdom had not sent a copy of its findings to UAE authorities in order to seek a solution to the problem.
The statement emphasized that it had taken precautionary measures to prevent clandestine sale of meat contaminated by FMD.
