UAE gov't ends beef with British imports

Authorities in the UAE have lifted a ban on the import of British beef products. The move, with comes into force with immediate effect, follows the lifting of a similar ban on beef imports from Poland in September. “The lifting of the British beef ban is significant as it means greater opportunity for UK suppliers, but also greater choice for the UAE market,” Ian Gibbons, director of UK Trade & Investment in Dubai said. Beef products including Angus steaks are expected to be stocked in restaurants and supermarkets shortly, he added. The UAE’s Ministry of Environment and Water banned all beef imports from countries following reported cases of BSE, known as mad cow disease. The UAE imported GBP£122.6m (US$192m) of British food products in 2011, up 12.6 percent from 2010.