Agencies disagree over safety of imported beef

Beef imports have become a subject of controversy between the General Secretariat of Municipalities, Dubai Municipality and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Disagreements have erupted over the quality and safety of beef imported from Europe and Asia.

Dubai Municipality has banned Pakistani cattle after two consignments were found to be infected with foot and mouth disease. But the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says Pakistani cattle and beef are safe for consumption and their 23 vet quarantine tests have shown that the beef is not contaminated and the cattle are disease-free.

A source in the General Secretariat said the municipalities ban any imports which may have come from a country which has had a contamination outbreak or if tests show a shipment is contaminated.

A conflict last month revolved around European beef following outbreaks of mad cow disease in France, the UK and Holland. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has declared that Pakistani and French beef is not contaminated and can be imported. But Dubai Municipality and the General Secretariat of Municipalities disagree.