July 13, 2007

Uruguay to supply live cattle to Egypt

Egypt will import live cattle and sheep from Uruguay as well as genetic material from local breeders due to being free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and foot and mouth disease with vaccination.

Australia has exported live cattle in 2001 by 25 percent at 203,000 heads. The Egyptian financial crisis in 2002 has resulted in cheaper live cattle imports from South America as the Australian dollar rose against the Egyptian pound, resulting to more expensive Australian imports.

Other markets expected to allow Uruguayan cattle imports are Tunisia, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Saudi Arabia.