10 May 2012

2 minute read

Asia

Oman had imposed restrictions on imports from Canada in 2009, reports TimesofOman.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture, the government lifted the ban on Canadian beef imports following a ministerial decision. “Now, traders can import Canadian beef as the scare of mad cow disease has eased,” he told Times of Oman.

However, the ministry has laid down several conditions for imports from Canada. “The cattle must have a certificate of origin and a veterinary certificate issued by the relevant government departments of the country. All imported cattle must have been born in or after 2009,” the official said.

He said that cattle can be imported from those Canadian farms which have not reported mad cow diseases for the last 10 years. “These cattle should be quarantined before export to Oman and the mother of the cattle should be born seven years ago.”

It also demanded that the authorities of the country of origin must inform their Oman counterparts of any registered cases of mad cow disease if detected.

Welcoming the decision, a cattle exporter said that Oman’s decision would aid exporters who are desperately seeking to expand their business overseas. “But it will not be easy for the Canadian exporters to create a foothold in the Omani market as exporters from Australia and Brazil will give them a tough fight,” he added. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord.

Oman yesterday also lifted the ban on importing live birds from North Korea and Iran.

TheCattleSite News Desk