JEDDAH, 16 September — The Ministry of Commerce is likely to lift a temporary ban on European Union poultry imports by this weekend, Al-Watan reported yesterday.
The Arabic daily said the ministry took the decision after making sure that the European poultry products did not contain artificial hormones.
The paper said the ministry has already directed quality control centers to release consignments held at Jeddah and Dammam ports. Informed sources at the ministry expressed hope that the release would take place by this weekend.
The paper said the lifting of the ban may also cover European carbonated drinks. There are two ships with tons of poultry moored at Dammam port, awaiting release orders from the ministry.
Informed sources put the volume of poultry consignments held up at Jeddah port at 16,000 tons.
The economic attaché at the French Embassy in Riyadh expressed happiness over the new developments. Speaking to Al-Watan, he said they were awaiting an official statement from the ministry.
France exports poultry products worth $100 million to the Kingdom annually. The French Embassy had expressed its concern over the temporary ban and warned that it would affect trade ties.
“We hope that the result of tests on samples would be positive to release the consignments,” the French official said.
The French minister for foreign trade had earlier met with Saudi Ambassador to Paris, Faisal Al-Hujeilan, and called for lifting the ban on French poultry exports to the Kingdom.
