August 24, 2016

US chicken exports from at least 13 states have regained entry into the Saudi Arabian market after they were banned last year over bird-flu issues.

According to a report on Xinhuanet, the temporary ban was lifted after the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 strain had been successfully controlled.

While the ban was in effect, Saudi Arabia restricted the entry of eggs and poultry meat (except cooked food and products that could prove to have had the virus killed) from Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. 

Earlier last month Saudi Arabia ended a four-year ban on beef imports from the US, which was imposed over issues of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease).

Under a signed agreement, Saudi Arabia is to initially allow shipments of beef from cattle aged under 30 months.