Egypt to resume Arabian horses exportation to Kuwait

CAIRO - 18 January 2019: After 8-year hiatus, Egypt would resume exporting Arabian horses to Kuwait, after getting a approval from the Gulf state, stated Mona Mehrez, Deputy Minister of Agriculture stated.

The Egyptian Agriculture Ministry has received an official letter from Kuwait on its approval to re-import the Arabian horses from Egypt “within the frame of supporting the relation between the two countries,” Mehrez added in a press conference on Thursday.

Kuwait’s approval came after a set of successive meetings held in Kuwait, where the two parts settled a plan guarantees the safety and security of the horses, she continued.

In 2010, the EU had imposed a ban on the import of Arabian horses from Egypt due to the lack of supervision and documentation by officials, which affected the confidence in the health status of equine animals, where confirmed cases of diseased animals were found.
“A number of the Kuwaiti experts came to Egypt to inquire importing procedures, and the [conditions of] Veterinary Quarantine; as well as getting all conditions and medical permissions,” the Minister said.

A total of 72 of Arabian horses have been already sent [from Egypt] to EU Country Members in accordance with European standards since the European ban was lifted in 2017, according to the Minister.

“Nine other horses will be sent after [to EU countries] after being kept in the Armed Forces’ quarantine.” Mehrez added.