July 4, 2008
Saudi Arabia approves beef from Ireland
Irish beef may soon set sail for Saudi markets, as authorities on both sides have agreed on export conditions, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, announced.
However, only boneless beef from animals under 30 months would be allowed.
Agreement in principle to resume exports was reached in October 2007 and was subject to the approval of plants and export conditions.
Veterinary authorities from Saudi Arabia inspected Irish plants in March this year.
Irish beef have been off-limits to Saudi Arabia since mad cow disease was discovered in the EU in 2000. In the year prior to that, Ireland exported EUR 33 million worth of beef to the kingdom.
The Irish cattle industry has been struggling under the yoke of high costs and competition from meat from cheaper sources such as Argentina and Brazil. An Irish academic recently declared that cattle raising in Ireland has become an unviable business.
