WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.8
1 March 2002
(02-1032)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE – RESPONSE TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE
Submission by Saudi Arabia
AddendumG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.8
Page 2Technical assistance requirements:
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard and/or
Soft)Specific concern Other
Rights,
obligations and
practical
operation of
the SPS
AgreementSeminar - Rights and
obligationsWorkshop – Practical operation of
the SPS Agreement
Food safetyProviding of:
- Regular information
on internationallegislation and
regulations
- Facilitate
communication with
the international
bodies all over the
world in the field offood and consumer
protection
- Technical assistance
to form an enquiry
centre for information- In-country training under
supervision of international experts
- Training in overseas countries on
participation in international
meetings
- Technical visits to labs in
advanced countries regarding food
analysisSoft:
- Technical assistance on
developing national food controlstrategies
- Control and inspection
- Laboratory practice
- Risk assessment
- Diagnosis techniques
- HACCP techniques
Hard:
- GMOs
- Veterinary drugs residues (i.e.
hormones, antibiotics)
- Contaminants (i.e. Dioxin,
pesticides), pathogens (cholera)Development of staff dealing
with food in labs to carry out
their assigned tasks
Animal healthRegular information
on international
legislation and
regulations- In-country training under
supervision of international experts
- Training in overseas countries
on participation in international
meetings
- Technical visits to labs inadvanced countries regarding
animal quarantineG/SPS/GEN/295/Add.8
Page 3Technical assistance requirements:
Information Training Infrastructure: (Hard and/or
Soft)Specific concern Other
Plant healthProviding of:
- Regular information
on international
legislation and
regulations
- FAO abridged
manual of
phytosanitary
regulation
- Facilitating contact
with counterpartofficial services of
trading partners- In-country training under
supervision of international experts
- Training in overseas countries on
participation in international
meetings
- Technical visits to labs in
advanced countries regarding plant
quarantine/protectionProcurement of scientific
equipment and facilities for labs
specialized in:
- Residue analysis at main point
of entry
- Plant virology at the key
locationsDevelopment of staff dealing
with food in labs to carry out
their assigned tasks
Contact detailsMinistry of Commerce – Gen. Dir. of Labs and Qualit y Control – Tel:  +(9661) 401 3265 – Fax:  +(9661) 402 2539
Ministry of Agriculture & Water – Animal and Plant Quaran tine Department – Tel:  +(9661) 401 6666 – Fax:  +(9661) 1232
Saudi Arabian Standards Organization – Deputy Director-General – Tel:  +(9661)  452 0000 – Fax:  +(9661) 452 00 86G/SPS/GEN/295/Add.8
Page 4
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(Such information could include, inter alia, a more detailed description of the technical assistance required,
any relevant background information on the reasons for the request, the possibility of using a regional
approach to the provision of the requested assistance and the scope for a coordinated approach among
relevant international organisations.)
Plant and Animal Health
Training :  Should be given at the GCC regional level, to phytosanitary inspectors, veterinarians and technical
support staff, this is essential for meeting the needs and challenges of the changing international role of animal
and quarantine activities. Bi-annual and annual training can be foreseen in-country and overseas, respectively.
Residues analysis labs :  Equipment and facilities at six main points of entry, namely:  Jeddah, Riyadh,
Dammam, Al Haditha, Halat Ammar and Tiwal.
Plant virology labs :  At three key locations:  Jeddah (West), Dammam (East) and Al Haditha (North).
Food safety
Training :  Should be given at the GCC regional level, to phytosanitary inspectors, veterinarians, technical
support staff and food safety officials.  This is essential for meeting the needs and challenges in the field of
food safety and consumer protection.  Bi-annual and annual training can be foreseen in-country and overseas,
respectively.
Food animal labs :  Equipment and facilities at ten main points of entry, namely:  Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam,
Halat Ammar, Al Haditha, Jazan, Al Jubail, Bath ah Salwa, Jadidat Arar and SASO Laboratories.
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