G/SPS/N/SAU/499  
20 March 2023  
(23-1996) 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):  Shrimp  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  India 
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of Administration Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 20576 dated 14 March 2023 (22/08/1444 AH) entitled "Temporary 
suspension of importation of shrim p originated from India" . Language(s):  Arabic . 
Number of pages:  1 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/SAU/23_1977_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture 
Report, White spot syndrome virus has been detected in imported frozen shrimp from 
India. In co mpliance with the World Organization for Animal Health ( WOAH ) Aquatic 
Animal Health Code Chapter 9.8, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
to prevent the entry of White spot syndrome virus into the country until the Indian side 
provides s ufficient clarification to ensure the safety of the exported products 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:  Detection of 
White  spot syndrome virus has been reported from imported frozen shrimp from India by 
the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
instituting this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of White spot syndrome 
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) : Aquatic Animal Health Code 
Chapter  9.8 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  G/SPS/N/SAU/499  
 
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  [ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation 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):  
14 March 2023  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority de signated 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 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