Ecuador will begin exporting live cattle to the United Arab Emirates starting September 12, following a two-year negotiation process, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. This makes the UAE the first country to approve cattle imports from Ecuador. The country's cattle farming industry, which benefits over 280,000 farmers, expects to significantly profit from this shipment. The announcement comes after Ecuador's successful vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease, which has not experienced outbreaks since 2011.