Import Ban on Cattle and Birds

MAKKAH, 16 August 2005 — Minister of agriculture, Dr. Fahd Balghunaiem, has temporarily banned the import of cattle from the American state of Texas because of Mad Cow Disease, Al-Madinah newspaper reported. The temporary ban will be lifted when the ministry receives assurance that there is no longer a threat of Mad Cow Disease. The minister also issued a temporary ban on live birds and eggs from the Philippines due to cases of bird flu there.