|
|
|
Officials off to Middle East on live sheep quest
12 Jan 2004
Australian agriculture, trade and foreign affairs officials will head to the Middle East tomorrow, where three countries are being considered for a possible live animal quarantine centre. One of recommendations of the Keniry review into the Cormo Express fiasco was that a quarantine centre be built in the region to which animals could be sent if rejected. Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are being considered as options; all are major markets for the live animal trade and are still taking Australian sheep.
The Australian officials will also hold talks with Saudi Arabia, which rejected the Cormo Express sheep. Live shipments to that country are now banned and will remain so until written arrangements are in place. These would include the quarantine centre and, potentially, Saudi officials checking animal shipments before they leave Australia.
The Age, 12/1/04.
|
|
