South African meat producers will be able to enter the Saudi Arabian market after a 21-year ban.
On Thursday, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority said it would lift the ban that has been in place on meat and red meat imports since 2002 after it held successful inspections in South African abattoirs and feedlots in June. Nicolaou said,"We had certain halaal procedural issues that needed to be addressed. The ban first emanated 21 years ago after the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The Department of Agriculture had to ensure veterinary certification was obtained to ensure that the ban was lifted as well."