G/SPS/N/SAU/135  
 
5 December 2014  
(14-7101)  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): 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: Hekendorp, UTRECHT, Netherlands  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 18/36 dated 25 November 2014 (03/02/1436 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Hekendorp, UTRECHT, Netherlands  Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages: 1 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/SAU/14_5336_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content: According to OIE reports, Ref. No. 16535, dated 
16 November 2014, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus - HPAI (H5N8) outbreak 
has occurred in Hekendorp, UTRECHT, Netherlands. In compliance with Article 10.4.4, Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health 
Code, the Netherlands is no longer identified  as a country free from Highly Pathogenic 
Avian Influenza. It is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the 
entry of HPAI (H5N8) into the country. Therefore, the import of poultry meat, eggs and 
their products (with the exception of proce ssed poultry meat and egg products exposed 
to either heat or other treatments that insure deactivation of avian influenza viruses) from Hekendorp, UTRECHT, Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pe st 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 (H5N8) has been reported in Hekend orp, UTRECHT, Netherlands by official 
announcement of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It was pre-confirmed on 16 November 2014, and confirmed on 16 November 2014. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of HPAI (H5N8) 
into the country. G/SPS/N/SAU/135 
 
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  9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? 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) Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization 
for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
[ ] 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 langua ge(s) in which these are available:      
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
25 November 2014 (03/02/1436 AH)       
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & 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: [ ] National Noti fication Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail a ddress (if available)  of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & 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