Australian livestock exports to Saudi Arabia suspended

The Australian government has suspended all livestock exports to Saudi Arabia as of 28 August, following the rejection this week of 57,000 sheep by Saudi Arabian quarantine officials. Saudi officials rejected the 57,000 sheep that arrived at the port of Jeddah on the grounds that approximately 6% of sheep in the shipment were affected by scabby mouth disease, exceeding the previously agreed 5% tolerance level. According to government reports, an Australian veterinarian accompanying the shipment reported that only 0.35% of the shipment was affected. Australian and Saudi Arabian officials are currently discussing guidelines in order for trade between the two countries to resume. Source: Meat & Livestock Australia