Saudi beef ban stays but Russia lifts threat

SAUDI ARABIA’S six-year-old ban on Irish beef was not lifted during Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s week-long visit to the Middle East, but there was better news in Moscow, where Russian threats to ban all EU meats have been averted in an agreement secured by the European Commission last week.

And the Government remains hopeful that Ireland could open up a new beef export market to the Middle East, after Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s discussions with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on the prospects for Irish beef exports, and Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan’s talks with Saudi Minister for Agriculture Bulghunain.

Minister Coughlan also met with Economy/International Trade Minister Yamani, and raised issues of trade, with particular focus on agriculture and food products, such as milk, meat and baby food, as well as outlining the quality and safety of Irish beef and the guarantees that the Irish government could give in relation to both.