UAE Issues New Milk Import Decree
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - The UAE's Ministry of Environment and Water has issued a decree outlining requirements for the importation of "milk and its derivatives."
The decree contains a number of provisions that could prove challenging for exporters and certifiers. ATO Dubai has provided a copy of the decree to the U.S. Dairy Export Council for review and comment.
Some of the most obvious challenges relate to disease status and certification for dairy cattle, mandatory HACCP programs for exporting countries and double pasteurization. The decree, which was signed on May 25, 2009, must be published in the Federal Gazette before it takes effect. The latest version of the Gazette is currently being printed.
ATO Dubai encourages exporters of dairy products to the UAE to contact their respective trade associations or ATO Dubai with their concerns about this decree. Exporters should work closely with their UAE based customers as they prepare shipments. An unofficial translation of the complete text of the decree is included in this report.
TheCattleSite News Desk