United Arab Emirates Reopens Door to Canadian Beef

Aug 02, 2012

UAE Halted Canadian Beef Exports in 2003 Over BSE

After nine years of a closed border to Canadian beef, the United Arab Emirates is now fully open to Canadian beef imports from cattle over 30 months of age. A joint announcement was made today by Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and International Trade Minister Ed Fast.

The UAE is one of nearly 70 countries in the world that has reopened their borders to allow the importing of Canadian beef after BSE (Mad Cow Disease) was detected in Canada in 2003. The UAE is Canada’s 19th largest beef export market and Canadian beef producers will benefit from full-market access to middle-east nation.

"The UAE is the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to resume full access to our high-quality beef and this is a significant milestone for Canadian beef producers", said Minister Ritz. "We are hopeful that the UAE's decision will encourage other countries in this region to grant full access to Canadian beef."

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President Martin Unrau, commented "The UAE is the latest country to recognize the safety of Canadian beef and align its import requirements with the science-based standards of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE),"

This renewed relationship with the UAE is a big step forward for Canadian beef exports, which were severely hampered by BSE in 2003.

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

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