OTTAWA, Ontario – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) expanded market access to Canadian beef from animals over 30 months of age, according to Canada’s Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

The UAE is Canada's 19th largest beef export market for beef from animals under 30 months of age. The value of those exports was more than $1 million in 2011. The industry estimates that full market access for beef could be worth an additional $365,000 annually.

"The UAE is the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to resume full access to our high-quality beef and this is a significant milestone for Canadian beef producers", said Minister Ritz. "We are hopeful that the UAE's decision will encourage other countries in this region to grant full access to Canadian beef."

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional trading block which includes some of the wealthiest countries in the world. The GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The admission of Canadian beef from animals over 30 months old builds on previous successful negotiations from December 2011 allowing Canadian live cattle to the UAE.

"This is yet another example of how our government's broad and ambitious pro-trade plan to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity is getting results for workers and businesses," said International Trade Minister Ed Fast. "Today's announcement is important for our trading relationship with the UAE and advances our efforts to deepen our economic and trade ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council region as a whole."