G/SPS/N/SAU/525  
5 February 2024  
(24-0859) 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:  France  
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of Administration Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 19185 dated 23 January 2024 entitled "Temporary ban on importation  
of poultry meat, eggs and their products originating from Vendée in France" . 
Language(s):  Arabic . Number of pages:  1 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2024/SPS/SAU/24_00948_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the WOAH report dated 18 J anuary 2024, a Highly 
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus outbreak has occurred in Vendée in France. 
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 Vendée in France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
temporarily suspended (with the exception of processed 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 bodies in France prov e 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 Vendée in France, by official announcement of the 
World  Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting 
this emergency meas ure to prevent the introduction of the HPAI virus into the country.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard 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 G/SPS/N/SAU/525  
 
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  [ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulati on conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
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):  
23 January 2024  
[ ] 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 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  
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 Nu mber (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa