G/SPS/N/SAU/248  
 
24 January 2017  
(17-0454) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY 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 tarif f 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 pract icable : 
[ ] All trading partners    
[X] Specific regions or countries: Tarn, Lot -et-Garonne and Aveyron, France  
5. Title of the notified document : Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 13369 dated 28 December 2016 (29/03/1438 AH) entitled 
"Temporary ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from 
Tarn, Lot -et-Garonne and Aveyron, France . Language (s):  . Number of pages:    
6. Description of content: Following the OIE report, Ref. No. 21946 dated 16 December 
2016, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) outbreaks have occurred in Tam, 
Lot-et-Garonne and Aveyron, France. In compliance with the World Organization for 
Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed 
necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of HPAI 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 Tarn, Lot -et-Garonne and 
Aveyron, France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[ ] protect h umans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pest s.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Outbreaks of HPAI 
have been reported in Tarn, Lot -et-Garonne and Aveyron, France by official 
announcement of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia is instituting this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of HPAI into the 
country.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standa rd:  
[ ] 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, 
Chapt er 10.4  G/SPS/N/SAU/248  
 
- 2 - 
 
  [ ] 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 from the 
interna tional standard :   
10. Other r elevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:      
11. Date of entry into force  (dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
28 December 2016  (29/03/1438 AH)  
[ ] 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:  
Saudi Food and Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit  (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, ext. 3331  
Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825  
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa/  
13. Text(s)  available from:  [X] National Notification Authorit y, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:  
Saudi Food and Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, ext. 3331  
Fax: +(966 11) 21 0 9825  
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa/