In a new step to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the livestock sector, the General Authority for Veterinary Services of Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation signed a joint cooperation protocol with the Livestock Department of Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The protocol aims to regulate the export of live cattle prepared for slaughter from Lebanon to Egypt, followed by re-exporting their meat to the Lebanese market, in accordance with international health and veterinary standards.
The signing of the protocol reflects the strong fraternal relations between Egypt and Lebanon and implements the directives of Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, to expand regional cooperation, provide all forms of support to enhance food security, and achieve sustainable development in the region.

Protocol Provisions and Implementation Mechanisms
The agreement was signed by Dr. Hamed Moussa Al-Aqnass, Chairman of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, and Dr. Elias Ibrahim, Director of the Livestock Department at Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, in the presence of several senior figures in the livestock sector, including Major General Mohsen Azouz, Chairman of the Vaccines City Company, and Major General Ashraf Hamouda, Chairman of the National Company for Animal Production.
The protocol includes organizing procedures for the export and import of live cattle between the two countries, ensuring that the animals are free from any epidemic or contagious diseases through a comprehensive system of veterinary inspections and quarantine. The agreement also stipulates clinical and laboratory testing of each head of cattle, confinement in accredited Egyptian veterinary quarantine facilities for no less than 21 days, issuance of official health certificates, and provision of transportation in accordance with animal welfare standards.

Supporting the Economy and Expanding Exports
Dr. Hamed Moussa Al-Aqnass stated that this cooperation will help open new markets for Egyptian livestock exports and generate added value for the national economy through export revenues. He emphasized that the protocol reflects the depth of technical and economic partnership between Cairo and Beirut.
He also highlighted that the agreement represents a qualitative advancement in veterinary coordination between the two countries, constituting a new achievement added to Egypt’s record of veterinary oversight successes, while reflecting the Egyptian government’s commitment to applying the highest standards of animal safety and food quality.
Mutual Appreciation and Technical Trust

Mutual Appreciation and Technical Trust
Both sides expressed their appreciation for this fruitful cooperation, affirming that the protocol reflects mutual trust in the technical competence of veterinary authorities in Egypt and Lebanon. It also represents a strategic step toward securing safe and reliable food sources and ensuring stability in the live meat market in the region.

Sources: aalameldawagen.com