RIYADH, 12 June 2003 — Saudi Arabia has lifted the temporary ban imposed on the import of live cattle, sheep and gazelle from Romania, while saying that the ban on the import of livestock, beef and some food products from other European countries will remain in place. This was announded by Abdulaziz Ibn Saad Al-Shethri, undersecretary at the ministry of agriculture.
Al-Shethri said the decision to lift the ban had been sent to the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI). They will inform importers of the ministry’s decision.
The ban on Romanian livestock was imposed two years ago following the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the country.
Romania has been exporting to the Kingdom a number of products and services including livestock, chemical products, rubber and wooden items. The two countries are also examining the possibility of cooperation in oil and petrochemical sector.
Referring to the ban on Danish and European beef, Mogens Kjoerup, minister counselor at the Danish Embassy said that the ban on beef was in place.
The diplomat said: “Denmark, together with many EU countries, has been exerting efforts to convince Saudi Arabia to lift the ban.”
Denmark, which has lost over SR75 million in beef export to Saudi Arabia because of the ban, has taken stringent measures to ensure that Danish exports of bovine products are free from all diseases. The losses will be much higher if the cumulative value of Danish beef exports to the Gulf states is taken into account. A group of officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visited Copenhagen recently to assess the situation and to acquaint themselves with the precautions the Danish meat industry has taken to protect consumers. The Saudi ban on Danish beef has been in place since Oct. 2000.
Asked about the ban on European beef and food products, some Western diplomats contacted by Arab News said, “The ban is currently in place on several items.” The ban on Belgian food products because of fears of dioxin contamination was lifted earlier.
They said that the European countries had undertaken an ambitious surveillance program besides implementing new slaughtering procedures by ordering the compulsory removal and destruction of specified risk material from cattle, goats and sheep slaughtered in their countries.
The diplomats said that only the meat of slaughtered cattle which tests negative for BSE, enters the food chain and that the age limit for bovine subject to BSE screening tests has been lowered in many EU countries.
