Algeria agriculture ministry accused of hindering Sudan meat import

Economic operators held the Algerian agriculture ministry responsible for delay in accreditation process to import meat from Sudan. The government has already expressed its political will to exploit competitive economic and commercial offers from Sudan.

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• Private operators told Echorouk they are surprised of the delay though the government has been interested in the Sudanese meat for more than six months.
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• Investors believe that dealing with the Sudanese market is better for the government and Algerian consumers in terms of quality and price.
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• Sudanese meat is exported to the strictest markets
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• A representative of operator Bellat said he went to Sudan and visited a number of abattoirs. “The meat is of a good quality and the sheep are not affected by animal diseases.”
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• He added that Sudan exports its meat to the strictest markets in the world in terms of healthy conditions such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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• Continuous obstacles though specialised committee was set up
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• This delay comes while the government is working on speeding up the importing process ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan.
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• Press attaché at the Algerian trade ministry Farouk Tifour said the inter-ministerial council approved the creation of a joint committee in charge of the importing process. Yet, the agriculture ministry has not solved the problem.
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• Agriculture ministry: specifications should be respected
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• An official at the agriculture ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Algeria usually deals with countries aware of animal healthy conditions. 
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• He added that the government did not check if Sudan’s meat is safe or not. 
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