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Undeterred by the shadow cast by glanders, the contagious bacterial disease that has affected the equine population in the kingdom, Bahrain is hosting its debut animal production show, entitled Mara'ee, this November.
Officials confirmed that the agricultural event, scheduled to be held from November 25 to 27 at the Bahrain International Endurance Village, Sakhir, will see animals, including horses and falcons, entering the kingdom from all over the world.
Dr Nabeel Mohammed Abulfatih, Under-Secretary for the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs, said: "We are planning to bring in horses and falcons and hold at least one horse show. All precautions are being taken to comply with international law.
"The blanket screening of horses is continuing and it will be done every three months until Bahrain is declared free of glanders. It was only among the horses in the Shakura and Saar area and it is completely under control.
"For the past month I have not received reports of any infected animal and this means that we are doing very well. The disease has been contained and I am confident that by October we will receive the all clear."
He once more refuted claims made by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai that the disease had spread into the kingdom's camel population.
Mara'ee is being organised by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
The show, free for exhibitors and visitors, will feature educational events on domestic and farm animals, food processing and fish farming, new technologies, dairy products, fertilisers and pesticides.
Three hundred exhibitors from across the Gulf, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey, the UK, Germany and Russia are expected to attend. They will display the latest strategies to develop livestock, provision of healthcare, treatments and protective measures and techniques to develop product quality.
Entrepreneurs can also benefit from networking and information available on business development and product marketing.
Other attractions will include animal displays, themed games and rides and a petting zoo.
The glanders outbreak began in April after an infected horse arrived from Kuwait. More than 120 horses have tested positive. Even if they show no signs of illness they are sentenced for destruction as carriers of the contagious disease which has no cure and can lead to an agonising bronchial illness, weeping sores and eventual death.
Dr Abulfatih said: "We are developing our isolation centres and are getting stricter with the scrutiny of animals. We are insisting on two checks before releasing any animal in the kingdom.
"We have been taking many steps and we have requested land from the royal court for a new isolation centre that will be built to the same standards as the one in Dubai. At the same time we are improving our laboratory facilities.
"It needs more equipment and slightly more space and we are hopeful that all this would be completed in about a year."
