G/SPS/N/SAU/201  
 
9 March 2016  
(16-1386)  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): Bovine, ovine, caprine, deer meat 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: Armavir, Armenia  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 16669 dated 10 March 2016 (01/05/1437 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of Bovine, Ovine, Caprine, Deer meat and their products" originated from Armavir, Armenia  Language(s):  Number of pages:   
6. Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 19536 dated 
15 January 2016, Food and mouth disease virus (FMD) outbreak has occurred in 
Armavir, Armenia. In compliance with Section 8, Chapter 8.8. Of the World Organization 
for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entr y of FMD into the country. Therefore, the 
import of bovine, ovine, caprine, deer meat and their products from Armavir, Armenia to 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] 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: Outbreak of FMD 
has been reported in Armavir, Armenia 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 FMD into the country. 
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial  n u m b e r  o f  C o d e x  
standard or related text)   
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) Chapter 8.8. Of the World 
Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2015 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)   
[ ] None G/SPS/N/SAU/201 
 
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  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): 
10 March 2016 (01/05/1437 AH) 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [X] National Notification 
Authority, [ ] 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 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: [X] National Noti fication Authority, [ ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail a ddress (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 1) 275 9222, ext. 3331 
Fax: +(966 1) 210 9825 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa/