According to Pakistan’s Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), a message has been received from the consul general of Pakistan in Dubai confirming the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has removed its ban on imports of livestock from Pakistan.

The UAE ministry of agriculture and fisheries apparently issued a decree on April 9, 2002 that lifted the ban, which had been in place since mid 2000.

The EPB had made great efforts since the ban was introduced to remove it in the shortest possible time. Success came after a three-member technical delegation from the UAE visited Pakistan on March 11-16, 2002 to inspect different slaughterhouses and other quarantine facilities in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. The visit was conducted in co-ordination with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, and the Animal Quarantine Department.

A meeting in Abu Dhabi is scheduled for April 24, 2002 to take a decision over the issue of the country’s ban on meat from Pakistan. It is expected that a decision will be taken in favour of Pakistan.