Saudi meat importers have accused several Gulf meat processing companies of importing products into Saudi Arabia which include banned Irish and Indian meat, reported Al-Sharq Al-Awsat.
According to the Saudi importers, the meat processors, which are located mainly in the UAE, have been using banned Irish and Indian beef in processed products, such as hamburgers and sausages.
Beef imports from India and Ireland are restricted because of concerns that they may have come from herds contaminated with Mad Cow disease or Foot and Mouth disease.
The Saudi meat importers also noted that the embargo imposed on European meat imports is likely to push the price of imported meat up by up to one Saudi riyal per kilogram.
Since concern about Mad Cow disease began spreading across Europe, the Saudi meat importers have looking at alternative sources for meat, such as South Africa and South America. Imports from those countries are more expensive, and thus price increases appear inevitable. — (Albawaba-MEBG)
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