Hiiraan Online
Friday, December 09, 2016
Sheep and goats are held at the Berbera National Health Quarantine, which has the capacity to hold 120,000 animals. Over 50% of Somaliland’s GDP is made up of livestock exports. Most of these animals start their journey from the port of Berbera, destined for Saudi Arabia, in time for the annual Hajj. PHOTO: National Geographic
The Somali livestock traders in Saudi Arabia said authorities there have temporarily stopped livestock imports from Somalia.
According to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environment, the ban was put in place following reports of unknown illnesses affecting Somali livestock.
Nuh Dahir Amuud, a Somali livestock trader in Saudi Arabia told the media that the directive was circulated among livestock traders in Saudi Arabia.
'The directive was issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of Saudi Arabia which wants a halt in the importation of Somali livestock'. He said.
He said the specific health concern was not described in the directive.
Somali traders are already a little worried and understandably so, the exportation of livestock is one of the main industries of the Somali economy and Saudi Arabia is one of the main markets.