G/SPS/N/SAU/493  
 
2 February 2023  
(23-0727) 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. 16595 dated 31 January 2023 entitled "Temporary ban on importation  
of poultry meat, eggs and their products originating from Pyrénées -Atlantiques in France" . 
Language(s):  Arabic . Number of pages:  1 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/SAU/23_0839_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the WOAH report dated 18 January 2023, 
a Newcastle  disease virus outbreak has occurred in Pyrénées -Atlantiques in France. 
In compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Terrestrial Animal 
Health Code Chapter  10.9, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 
prevent the ent ry of Newcastle disease virus into the country. Therefore, the import of 
poultry meat, eggs and their products from Pyrénées -Atlantiques 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 Newcastle disease virus, as long as it conforms to the approved health 
requirements, and standards, with a health certificate issued by the official bodies in 
France to prove that the product is free from the virus).  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] 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 
Newcastle disease virus has been reported in Pyrénées -Atlantiques, France by official 
announcement of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia is instituting  this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of 
Newcastle disease 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) :  G/SPS/N/SAU/493  
 
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  [X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
Chapter  10.9 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] 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):  
31 January 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: Dr. Majid M. AlKhalaf  
SFDA  - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222 Ext: 4915  
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: Dr. Majid M. AlKhalaf  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222 Ext: 4915  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa