G/SPS/N/ALB/198  
 
9 February 2017  
(17-0779) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member : ALBANIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:    
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water 
Management  
3. Products covered (pr ovide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Live poultry, semen, embryos, ova & by -products of 
poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H 5N8 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners    
[X] Specific regions or countries: The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in 
the region of Struga  
5. Title of the notified document : Order of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural 
Development and Water Management "On some protective measures against the disease 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in Macedonia".  Language (s): Albanian . 
Number of pages:  2  
6. Description of content: This Order of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development 
and Water Management provides some protective measures against the outbreak of 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease in the regions indicated in point 4. 
A ban has been placed on the imports of all live poultry, semen, embryos, ova & 
by-products of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8, from the 
territories described in point 4, to the Albanian territory. In addition, the veterinary 
certificate should guarantee their origi n. The measures also consist in stopping the 
import of unsterile biological materials originating from all live poultry, semen, embryos, 
ova & by -products of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in the 
territories described in point 4 , to the Albanian territory.  
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[X] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory 
from other damage from pest s. The objective is to protect animal  & human health in 
the territory of Albania against the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease 
outbreak into the territories described in point 4.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: This Order is to 
protect animal & h uman health against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease, 
by banning the import and transit of all live poultry, semen, embryos, ova & by -products 
of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8.  G/SPS/N/ALB/198  
 
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  9. Is there a relevant internationa l 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) : Chapter number 10.4  
[ ] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :   
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the re levant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates fro m the 
international standard :   
10. Other r elevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  
Notifications submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, OIE, related to the 
outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease outbreak in Macedonia 
(30 January 2017), according to the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.   
11. Date of entry into force  (dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
6 January 2017  
[ ] Trade facilit ating  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:   
13. Text(s)  available from:  [X] National Notification Authority, [ X] National Enquiry 
Point. Addres s, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:  
General Directory of Agriculture Services and Fishery  
SPS Enquiry Point - Albania  
Tel: +(355 4) 2 259 333  
Fax: +(355 4) 2 259 333  
E-mail: mbumk_sps@yahoo.com  
Website: http://www.bujqesia.gov.al