December 22, 2011

United Arab Emirates accepts Canadian cattle after eight years

After eight years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to receive its first imports of live cattle from Canada, Canadian agriculture and trade ministers said Tuesday (Dec 20).

The UAE market could be worth up to US$40 million in annual sales of Canadian live cattle, a Canadian government statement said.

Many countries halted imports of Canadian beef and cattle after the 2003 discovery of mad cow disease in a western Canadian herd.

Most countries are again importing beef from Canada, but China and South Korea remain exceptions.

Japan accepts only beef from cattle under 21 months of age.

"This announcement instantly provides new export opportunities for Canadian producers and is a significant step toward regaining access to other key markets in the region," said Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

The UAE is part of a regional trading bloc called the Gulf Co-operation Council, which also includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The UAE could mean a US$40-million boost for the Canadian cattle market.