G/SPS/N/SAU/232  
 
19 December 2016  
(16-6933) 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): Tilapia, catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus paludinosus  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the ex tent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners    
[X] Specific regions or countries: Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe  
5. Title of the notified document : Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 6774 dated 14 November 20 16 (14/02/1438 AH) entitled "Temporary 
ban of importation of Tilapia, Catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus paludinosus " 
originated from Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe . Language (s):  . Number of 
pages:    
6. Description of content: Following the OIE r eports, Ref. No. 20774 dated 
19 August  2016, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome outbreaks have occurred in 
Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe. In compliance with the World Organization for 
Animal Health (OIE) Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapter 10.2, it is deeme d necessary 
for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome 
into the country. Therefore, the import of Tilapia, Catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus 
paludinosus  from Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
is temporarily suspended, with the exception of the following:  
1. Heat sterilised hermetically sealed fish products (i.e. a heat treatment at 121°C for 
at least 3.6 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent);  
2. Pasteurised fish products that ha ve been subjected to heat treatment at 90°C for at 
least ten minutes (or any time/temperature equivalent which has been 
demonstrated to inactivate A. invadans ); 
3. Mechanically dried eviscerated fish (i.e. a heat treatment at 100°C for at least 
30 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to 
inactivate A. invadans ); 
4. Frozen eviscerated fish;  
5. Frozen fish fillets or steaks;  
6. Fish oil; and  
7. Fish meal (feeding).  
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant pr otection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pest s.   G/SPS/N/SAU/232  
 
- 2 - 
 
  8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Outbreaks of 
Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome have been reported in Mashona land and Midlands, 
Zimbabwe 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 Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome 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) : Aquatic Animal Health Code, 
Chapter  10.2 
[ ] 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, descri be, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international 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): 
14 November 20 16 (14/02/1438 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 an d 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 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 13 312 - 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/