G/SPS/N/SAU/260  
 
21 Ma rch 2017  
(17-1554) 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): Shrimp  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partner s   
[X] Specific regions or countries: The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar 
Islands, India  
5. Title of the notified document : Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 15025 dated 30 January 2017 (02/05/1438 AH) entitled "T emporary 
suspension of importation of shrimp" originated from the Union Territory of Andaman 
and Nicobar Islands , India . Language (s):  . Number of pages:    
6. Description of content: Following the 1st and 2nd Quarter s 2016 "Quarterly Aquatic 
Animal Diseas e Report", White spot disease  (WSD) and Infectious Hypodermal and 
Haematopoietic Necrosis (IHHNV)  have been detected in the Union Territory of Andaman 
and Nicobar Islands, India. In compliance with the World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE) Aquatic Ani mal Health Code Chapter s 9.7. and 9.3., it is deemed necessary for the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of WSD  and IHHNV  into the country. 
Therefore, the import of shrimp (with the exception of  products mentioned in 
Articles  9.7.3.1, 9.7.3.2, 9 .3.3.1 and 9.3.3.2) from the Union Territory of Andaman and 
Nicobar Islands, India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m anima l/plant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pest s.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Detection  of WSD 
and IHHNV has  been reported in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 
India by of ficial announcement of the World Organizati on for Animal Health (OIE). 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this emergency measure to prevent the 
introduction of WSD and IHHNV into the country.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, i dentify 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 Heal th Code 
Chapter s 9.7. and 9.3.  G/SPS/N/SAU/260  
 
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  [ ] 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 de viates 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): 
30 January 2017  (02/05/1438 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 r oad 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 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/