New Zealand-Saudi live trade to resume.

SAUDI ARABIA.

TALKS OVER LIVESTOCK BAN.

Saudi Minister of Agriculture Dr Fahd Balghunaim, said that live exports may again resume with New Zealand.

The livestock trade has a US$100 million a year potential, between 1986 and 2002 over 4 million sheep were exported to Saudi Arabia from NZ.

A 25 man delegation, from the Arab nation visited New Zealand last year and have presented a favorable report to their government.

There have also been preliminary discussions over a Free Trade Agreement, between NZ and four Gulf Cooperation states, of which Saudi Arabia is one.

There is also considerable interest in NZ dairy produce and a busy market exists in slaughtered lambs and mutton.

Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on Irish beef last year, that was imposed after the BSE and foot and mouth problems in the UK