UAE has over 398,000 camels

The UAE has more than 398,000 camels pumping nearly 171,000 tonnes of milk annually, the Arabic language daily Alittihad said Saturday.

The 398,607 camels account for nearly 4.4 per cent of the country’s total domestic animal wealth of around 4.4 million, it said.

Citing an official at the Ministry of Environment and Water, it said the UAE is pushing ahead with plans to export camel milk to Europe in 2011.

“We will start testing samples of camel milk in the country from next month to be sent to the European Commission…they want to ensure our camel milk conforms to export specifications,” said Abdullah Al Janaan, Farming Director at the Ministry. “The tests are also intended to ensure the milk is not contaminated.”