October 11, 2007

Saudi Arabia lifts seven-year ban on Irish beef

Saudi Arabia has lifted a seven-year-old ban on Irish beef, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan announced Wednesday (October 10, 2007).

Saudi Arabia was closed to Irish beef due to the mad cow disease outbreaks seven years ago.

The ban was lifted after a visit by a Saudi delegation in June.

Before the ban, exports to the country were valued at about EUR 33 million (US$46.9 million).

The lifting of the ban was made possible after intensive efforts at political, diplomatic and technical level, Coughlan said.

Coughlan said Saudi Arabia was traditionally an important market for Irish beef and said she expects trade to resume as soon as the designated slaughter plants cleared inspections.

The decision by Saudi authorities to reopen their market was taken following an on-the-spot examination of the rigorous controls applied in Ireland, reflecting the high standards of food safety controls in place, Coughlan said.