March 2, 2007

Egypt opens border to Canadian breeding cattle
 

Egypt has agreed to lift its ban on the import of Canadian breeding cattle, sheep and goats.

The move follows negotiations between the Egyptian government and the Canadian cattle industry.

After discussions between Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, His Excellency Amin Mohamad Osman Abazan, Canadian and Egyptian officials, and representatives of the Canadian genetics sector, Egypt has lifted restrictions on the importation of certain Canadian breeding and other cattle.

Chuck Strahl, minister for Canada' s Agriculture and Agri-Food and Canadian Wheat Board said this development would create new opportunities for Canadian livestock industry and would develop beef and cattle trade with Egypt.

Following an Egyptian Halal mission to Canada in July 2006, Egypt opened its market to trade in under 30 months (UTM) boneless beef from Canada in September 2006.