Saudi Arabia lifts seven-year ban on Irish beef

SAUDI ARABIA has lifted a temporary ban on Irish beef, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said yesterday.

Saudi Arabia was closed to Irish beef following the upsurge of BSE in Europe seven years ago. The market is being reopened under conditions recommended by Saudi experts who visited Ireland in June.

Exports in the year prior to the ban were valued at about €33 million.