G/SPS/N/SAU/520  
11 December 2023  
(23-8421) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member:  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Poultry meat, eggs and their products  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  Belgium  
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of Administration Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 14534 dated 5 December 2023 entitled "Temporary ban on importatio n 
of poultry meat, eggs and their products originating from West -Vlaanderen in Belgium" . 
Language(s):  Arabic . Number of pages:  1 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/SAU/23_14253_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the WOAH report dated 5 De cember 2023, a Highly 
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus outbreak has occurred in West -Vlaanderen, 
Belgium. In compliance with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Terrestrial 
Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed necessary for the  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
to prevent the entry of the HPAI virus into the country. Therefore, the import of poultry 
meat, eggs and their products from West -Vlaanderen, Belgium to the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia is temporarily suspended (with the exception of pr ocessed poultry meat and egg 
products exposed to either heat or other treatments that ensure deactivation of the HPAI 
virus, as long as it conforms with the approved health requirements, and standards, with a 
health certificate issued by the official bodie s in Belgium to prove that the product is free 
from the virus).  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [X]  animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  An outbreak of the 
HPAI virus has been reported in West -Vlaanderen, Belgium, by official announcement of 
the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
instituting this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of the HPAI virus into the 
country.  G/SPS/N/SAU/520  
 
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  9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standa rd or related text) :  
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
 Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standa rd:  
10. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
5 December 2023  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
Saudi Food and Drug Authority - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring b ranch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Saudi Food and Drug Authority - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa