June 19, 2007

Indonesia allows Canadian beef imports over OIE decision

The "controlled-risk" status for mad cow disease in Canada's cattle granted by the World Organisation for Animal Health has prompted Indonesia to approve import of beef products from five Canadian slaughterhouses.

According to Turni Rusli Syamsudin, director of veterinary public health at the agriculture ministry, the approval was set for six meat processors but only five met the Islamic halal certification for consumption.

Indonesia has the world's biggest Muslim population.

Syamsudin said the permit was issued in May and Canadian beef products were and is expected to enter Indonesia this month.

Indonesia placed a ban on Canadian beef imports in May 2003.

The Indonesian agriculture ministry has previously said it was set to lift a two-year-old import ban on US beef which was also banned in 2003 and was also granted the same ruling by OIE last May.

Indonesia currently only imports beef, beef products and live cattle from Australia and New Zealand.

In 2006 it imported 84,253 metric tonnes of beef products and live cattle.