India's decision to ban the export of mutton has hit UAE consumers hard, with the meat becoming increasingly rare nationwide.

"The ban came into affect on August 21. It was issued following advice from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which indicated that Indian meat on the bone should not be exported as a precaution apparently against foot-and-mouth disease," Indian Embassy sources told Gulf News.

The UAE imports around 20 tonnes, or US$80,000 worth, of Indian meat daily.

Consumers, restaurants and supermarkets are bearing the brunt of the ban, which called for a prohibition on the export of "meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen" in addition to goat and buffalo meat.

Industry leaders indicated that a meeting to resolve the issue has been scheduled for September 5 with the Indian Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

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