Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DOHA1134
2007-12-04 13:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

BAN ON SAUDI POULTRY DUE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA MAKES

Tags:  EAGR ECON PREL TBIO SENV KFLU QA SA 
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VZCZCXRO3129
RR RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #1134 3381330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041330Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7324
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS DOHA 001134 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PREL TBIO SENV KFLU QA SA
SUBJECT: BAN ON SAUDI POULTRY DUE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA MAKES
QATAR DIG DEEPER

REF: DOHA 1043

UNCLAS DOHA 001134

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON PREL TBIO SENV KFLU QA SA
SUBJECT: BAN ON SAUDI POULTRY DUE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA MAKES
QATAR DIG DEEPER

REF: DOHA 1043


1. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) announced
November 13 the reoccurence of Avian Influenza in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Based on the OIE finding of H5N1 in
the KSA, Qatar's Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Agriculture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa Al-Thani, issued
a Ministerial Decree November 15 banning the import of all
poultry products, including eggs, frozen and solid chickens,
and young chicks from the KSA. Dr. Gail Fraser Chanpong,
Director of Public Health at Qatar's National Health
Authority, informed all heads of units of the Ports Health
and Food Section of the Public Health Department November 15
of the ban. Dr. Chanpong told us December 3 that the initial
period of the ban would be three months, but could be
extended depending on subsequent findings of the OIE.


2. Since the ban took effect, Emboffs have noted intermittent
supplies of fresh eggs in the local marketplace. Local and
regional supplies of eggs have not kept up with demand.
While eggs from the United Arab Emirates have been spotted,
much of the current egg supply is arriving from Brazil.
Although prices vary, Emboff noted December 2 that the price
for a 30-egg tray at a local supermarket had recently risen
from Qatari Riyal (QR) 9.95 (USD 2.74) to QR 20.00 (USD
5.49),an increase of more than 100 percent.


3. Comment: The already high inflationary pressure in the
Qatari marketplace (see reftel) has only been exacerbated by
the price rise in the poultry market due to the H5N1 outbreak
in the KSA. Poultry and eggs are important food staples,
especially among the large expatriate population of Qatar.
RATNEY