March 22, 2005

Saudi Arabia suspends Canadian beef imports

Saudi Arabia has imposed a temporary ban on imports of Canadian beef because of incidents of mad cow disease in Canada, the Saudi trade and industry ministry said.

The decision was taken in light of reports from Canadian and international authorities "which indicated the presence of repeated cases of mad cow disease in Canada and the possibility of more cases being uncovered".

A Canadian embassy spokesman said Canada's meat exports to Saudi Arabia last year -- mainly beef -- were worth around C$ 2.5 million.