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Saudi vets may inspect Aussie sheep
12 Dec 2003
Trade Minister Mark Vaile has been in Saudi Arabia for two days and held talks aiming to restore Australia's live animal exports to that country. Mr Vaile is optimistic that exports can resume shortly. A proposal that Saudi vets inspect the animals before they leave Australia has been put forward by the Middle Eastern country, which is keen to resume the trade.
Saudi Arabia still maintains the position it held in August, however, that six per cent of the boatload of sheep it rejected aboard the Cormo Express had scabby mouth, despite two independent veterinary reports to the contrary.
Importers have also suggested a quarantine facility be constructed in Saudi Arabia which could be used if there were a dispute. Australian trade and veterinary officials will go to Saudi Arabia in January 2004 for talks about processes necessary to get the live trade going again.
The Age, 12/12/03.
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