Brussels, 01/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Saudi Arabia has announced the suspension of poultry and non-alcoholic drink imports from the EU because of the scandal caused by the MPA hormone contamination of European products (and the possible harmful after-effects on public health), indicated the Saudi Minister of Trade, Osama Faqih, who explained that this ban included all carbonated drinks and all poultry based products. Saudi Arabia also pointed the finger at two specific companies, one of them Irish, the other Belgian, because of their use of banned industrial hormones. The Saudi Minister also declared that he would extend the ban on beef and sheep imports from the EU because of the dangers linked to BSE. Almost two thirds of Saudi meat demands, estimated to be around 100, 000 tons a year, are covered by these imports.