U.S. BEEF BANNED IN OMAN

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000383

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/TPP/ATT
DUBAI FOR ATO MHENNEY
COMMERCE FOR ITA/MTALAAT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD PREL MU ESTH
SUBJECT: U.S. BEEF BANNED IN OMAN

REF: HENNEY-GRIMM EMAIL OF 3/1/06

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SUMMARY
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1. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
have confirmed a ban on U.S. beef imports as a result of BSE
reports. The question of when the ban might be lifted is
still under study. End Summary.

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U.S. BEEF BANNED
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2. On March 14, Econoff discussed the status of U.S. beef
imports to Oman with Dr. Sultan al-Ismaili and Dr. Rashid
al-Sulaimani from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries'
Directorate General of Animal Wealth. Al-Ismaili confirmed
that the Ministry was no longer issuing permits for U.S. beef
imports based on USG reports of two BSE cases to the World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE). (Note: A similar ban in
Oman exists on beef imports from the EU, Canada, and Japan.
End note.) Al-Ismaili remarked that while the Ministry would
not issue permits for beef or live animals, it would continue
issuing permits for milk, dairy and poultry products.

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PERMIT NEEDED
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3. Per ref email, Econoff inquired about two beef shipments
detained at an Omani port of entry. Al-Ismaili confirmed
that one U.S. beef shipment was destroyed for lack of a
permit, while the other reported shipment never actually
arrived in Oman. Al-Sulaimani added that regulations call
for importers to secure a permit 15 days before the shipment
arrives at port, though in the past, the Ministry has given
importers a permit upon arrival.


4. Econoff also inquired about the notification procedure,
noting that the Embassy had not been informed of the
Ministry's decision. Al-Sulaimani replied that the Ministry
was not obligated under Omani law to notify interested
parties of these types of actions in writing. Al-Ismaili
added that importers generally are kept abreast of the latest
developments through their dealings with the Ministry. In
the case of the destroyed U.S. beef shipment, Al-Sulaimani
asserted that the importer knew of the ban before the
shipment arrived at port.

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NO CLEAR END
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5. Al-Ismaili would not forecast when the Ministry would
resume issuing permits, though he stated that the Ministry
was studying the issue. Of concern to al-Ismaili were March
13 reports in the local media that USDA was investigating a
potential third domestic case of BSE. Al-Ismaili noted that
the OIE recommends a seven-year waiting period before
resuming imports from countries reporting BSE cases, while
the GCC recommends a five-year moratorium. The Ministry, he
said, will review the U.S. case in consultation with the GCC
Secretariat. He also left open the possibility of revising

SIPDIS
the ban to allow for the importation of young stock under
certain conditions.
BALTIMORE