G/SPS/N/SAU/342  
 
22 February 2018  
(18-1160) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member:  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARA BIA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Livestock Risk Assessment Department, Ministry of Environment, 
Water and Agriculture  
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): Live birds, hatching eggs and one day old chicks  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners  
[X] Specific regions or countries: Afghanistan  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Ministry of Environmen t, Water and 
Agriculture, Decision No. 219/1291/1439 dated 12 February 2018 (26/05/1439 H) entitled 
"Temporary Ban of Importation of Live Birds, Hatching Egg and One Day Old Chicks 
Originating from Afghanistan" . Language(s): . Number of pages:  
6. Description of content: Following the  OIE report, ref. Vol. 31 - No. 04 dated 
23 January  2018, which indicates that High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak 
has occurred in Afghanistan, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 
preve nt the entry of the disease into the country. Therefore, the importation of live birds, 
hatching eggs and one day old chicks from Afghanistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
suspended.  
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 HPAI 
was reported in Afghanistan by official anno uncement of the World Organization for Animal 
Health (OIE). This urges the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to institute this emergency measure 
to prevent the entry of HPAI 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) :  
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Animal Terrestrial Health Code, 
Chapter  10.4 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  G/SPS/N/SAU/342  
 
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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 language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
12 February 2018 (26/05/1439 H)     
[ ] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture  
Livestock Risk Assessment Department  
King Abdel Aziz Road, Riyadh 11195  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  
Tel: +(966 11) 404 4292  
 +(966 11) 401 6666  
E-mail: anml.rsk@mewa.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.mewa.gov.sa/public/portal  
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other  body:  
Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture  
Livestock Risk Assessment Department  
King Abdel Aziz Road, Riyadh 11195  
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  
Tel: +(966 11) 404 4292  
 +(966 11) 401 6666  
E-mail: anml.rsk@mewa.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.mewa.gov.sa/public/portal