The UAE has blocked a shipment of 950 goats and sheep from entering the country, after a number of the animals were found to be dead, or infected with foot and mouth disease and blue tongue disease.
The owners of the shipment, which came from India, attempted to enter at night through Ras Al Khaimah, but were prevented by the quarantine and customs authorities, news agency WAM reported.
The quarantine authorities were acting on information provided by veterinary quarantine officers in Kuwait, who also refused to unload the shipment for fear of contaminating local livestock.
The UAE Ministry of Environment and Water immediately issued orders to push the shipment out of regional waters. All GCC countries were also informed about the shipment, WAM said.
