The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned all beef imports from the European Union, Scandinavia and eastern Europe because of fears of "mad cow" disease, according to a decree published today.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry said the ban also covered imports of fodder from the same countries.
The UAE, which imports about 30,000 tonnes of meat a year, is the first Gulf state to ban Scandinavian and east European beef.
Earlier this month Qatar urged the Gulf oil monarchies to reach a consensus on meat imports after Saudi Arabia banned EU beef and mutton. A week ago Bahrain banned EU beef imports.
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AFP