May 21, 2014
Saudi Arabia bans live cattle imports from Brazil
The Kingdom has temporarily banned Brazilian live cattle imports following the discovery of new cases of foot-and-mouth disease in one of the country's provinces, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
This comes in addition to an existing ban on beef imports from the country, after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy was detected.
Brazil was one of the largest suppliers of beef to the Kingdom, exporting 34,000 tonnes of beef annually up till the 2012 ban.
Brazil had previously threatened to file a complaint to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the ban on its products.
Quarantine units at entry points have recently barred the entry of animals on concerns of mad cow disease, although the ministry has not named the country of origin of the cattle.
The price of meat products has also risen 30% ahead of Ramadan after several imported containers from India, a main source of beef other than Australia since 2012, were refused entry for failing to comply with health standards.
At the same time, the Saudi government is exploring new markets to ensure that demand for beef and meat is met during Ramadan.
The Kingdom recently lifted a ban on Pakistani sheep, stipulating the animals to be quarantined in Karachi for 21 days before being shipped to Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom imported an estimated 7.7 million sheep and nearly 32,000 cows in 2013, according to statistics.
Foot-and-mouth is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture.
