G/SPS/N/SAU/138
5 January 2015 
(15-0017)  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; IC S 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: Italy (Veneto)  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 40/36 dated 22 December 2014 (30/02/1436 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Veneto, 
Italy  Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages: 1 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/SAU/14_5638_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 16768, dated 
16 December 2014, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus - HPAI (H5N8) outbreak 
has occurred in Veneto, Italy. In compliance with Article 10.4.4, Chapter 10.4 of the 
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Italy is no longer identified as a country free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. It is deemed 
necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of HPAI (H5N8) into the 
country. Therefore, the import of poultry meat, eggs and their products (with the exception of processed poultry meat and egg products exposed to either heat or other 
treatments that ensure deactivation of avian influenza viruses) from Veneto, Italy to the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pe st or disease, [ ] protect territory 
from other damage from pests.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s)  and reason for urgent action: An outbreak of 
HPAI (H5N8) has been reported in Veneto, Italy by official announcement of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It was pre-confirmed on 15 December 2014, and 
confirmed on 16 December 2014. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this 
emergency measure to prevent the introduction of HPAI (H5N8) into the country. 
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? 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 10.4 of the World Organization 
for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code G/SPS/N/SAU/138 
 
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  [ ] 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 langua ge(s) in which these are available:      
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
22 December 2014 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 1) 275 9222, ext. 3331 
Fax: +(966 1) 210 9825 E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa 
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Text(s) available from: [ ] National Noti fication Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail a ddress (if available)  of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & Drug Authority 
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 Tel: +(966 1) 275 9222, ext. 3331 
Fax: +(966 1) 210 9825 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa