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 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶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. -------------- U.S. BEEF BANNED -------------- ¶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. -------------- PERMIT NEEDED -------------- ¶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. -------------- NO CLEAR END -------------- ¶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