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4,500 Holstein cows arrive in Abu Dhabi to enhance food security

Abu Dhabi - The Holstein is one of the best breeds for milk production.

To further enhance food security in the UAE, a shipment of 4,500 Holstein cows has arrived in the country from Uruguay.

The bovines, one of the best breeds for milk production, arrived at the Khalifa Port within 40 days from the date of import.

This shipment is the first of the many scheduled ones, and many more will follow in the upcoming period. They are the beginning of an ambitious launch for the largest dairy cattle breeding project in the UAE to enhance food security locally.

Speaking on the occasion, Mariam Hareb Almheiri, Minister of State for Food Security, said, "The UAE has a strong and flexible food system and can cope with all current and future changes. The wise leadership devotes the utmost importance to increase local food production, by enhancing cooperation and partnerships with various relevant local and global entities within the framework of the National Food Security Strategy, aimed at increasing possible local production via technology.

"The arrival of the first Holstein breeds shipment is a perfect step in strengthening the country's efforts to enhance local production and place it in all UAE markets."

The cows were also transported through an integrated fleet of trucks intended for transporting livestock to the port in Uruguay, and finally shipped onto Zein 1, a special vessel designed for shipping livestock between continents. The cows were distributed to the barns designated for them on the ship with safety standards followed. The ship then sailed for Abu Dhabi.

On arrival, the cows were examined by the specialised veterinarian to make sure that there were no pathological symptoms, the necessary samples were taken and sent to the laboratory for the cows to be quarantined for the prescribed period. They would be released once the results were declared ensuring their safety.