This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

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