Taiwan, Saudi Arabia open up meat markets

Taiwan has allowed local traders to import pork and pig meat products from Spain.

Its decision was reached after long negotiations between Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, and the Food and Drug Administration. 

Covered in the agreement are fresh meat and offal and other kinds of pig meat products.

In the Middle East, the Saudi government has lifted the ban on beef imports from Kenya.

Saudi Ambassador GhormMalhan announced the lifting of the ban during Kenya'snational day celebrations in Nairobi.

The ambassador said the Saudi Food and Drug Authority reached the decision following reports that Kenya was free from Rift Valley Fever and Rinderpest and had rehabilitated both the veterinary facilities and slaughter houses to guarantee safe and clean product processing.

"Now for those who wish to export meat and meat products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I am pleased to say that the temporary ban on livestock has been lifted," Ghorm said adding that this was aimed at boosting trade relations between Kenya and the Arab country.

Last year he said Saudi Arabia's exports to Kenya reachedUS$390 million while Kenya's exports to the kingdom stood at only US$18.5 million.