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Egyptian authorities have denied that the country is exporting thousands of stray cats and dogs to countries where they are eaten after a backlash from animal rights activists.

The spokesman for the Agriculture Ministry, Hamed Abdel Dayem local media on Sunday that the reports were "baseless".

"The Agriculture Ministry does not import or export dogs or cats, but applies some measures on animals that accompany travelers," Abdel Dayem was quoted as saying.

The official made the denial after he the move last week.

Abdel Dayem said Cairo had licensed the export of 4,100 cats and dogs - which had been rounded up in the streets - to a number of countries.

The spokesman said authorities had vaccinated the animals and made sure they were disease-free.

The announcement sparked anger from animal rights activists with one lawmaker pledging to push legislation to criminalise the export of cats and dogs.

Much of the anger centered around reports that the animals were set to be shipped to countries where they traditionally consume cats and dogs.

A lawmaker recently suggested authorities export stray dogs to South Korea in a bid to boost the country's ailing economy.

Stray dogs and cats are widespread in the streets of Egypt.

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