G/SPS/N/SAU/506  
23 May 2023  
(23-3526) 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; 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 practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  France  
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of Administration Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 27385 dated 22 May 2023 entitled "Temporary ban on importation of 
poultry meat, eggs and their products originating from Landes and Gers in France".  
Language(s):  Arabic . Number of pages:  1 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/SAU/23_09777_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the WOAH report dated 12 May 2023, a Highly 
Pathog enic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus outbreak has occurred in Landes and Gers in 
France. In compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Terrestrial 
Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
to prevent the entry of HPAI virus into the country. Therefore, the import of poultry meat, 
eggs and their products from Landes and Gers in France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
is temporarily suspended (with the exception of processed poultry meat and egg p roducts 
exposed to either heat or other treatments that ensure deactivation of HPAI virus, as long 
as it conforms to the approved health requirements, and standards, with a health 
certificate issued by the official bodies in France to prove that the produc t is free from the 
virus).  
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 
virus has been reported in Landes and Gers, France by official announcement of the World 
Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this 
emergency measure t o prevent the introduction 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) :  G/SPS/N/SAU/506  
 
- 2 - 
 
  [X] World Organiza tion for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
Chapter 10.4  
[ ] 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 language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
22 May 2023  
[ ] Trade facilitating 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 - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Text(s) available from: [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 - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313 
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa