G/SPS/N/SAU/353  
 
7 June 2018  
(18-3489) 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:  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): Frozen and processed fruits and vegetables  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners  
[X] Specific regions or countries: Kerala State, India  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Administrative Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 56039 dated  2 June 2018 (18/09/1439 AH) entitled "Temporary ban on 
the importation of frozen and processed fruits and vegetables" originating from Kerala 
State, India . Language(s): . Number of pages:  
6. Description of content: Based on the outbreaks of Nipah virus reported by the  World 
Health Organization  (WHO) in Kerala State, India, the import of frozen and processed 
fruits and vegetables from Kerala State, India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
temporarily suspended.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety,  [ ] 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: Outbreaks of Nipah  
virus have been report ed in Kerala State, India by the World Health Organization (WHO). 
Therefore, t he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this emergency measure to prevent 
the introduction of Nipah virus into the country.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If s o, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standa rd:  G/SPS/N/SAU/353  
 
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  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): 
2 June 2018 (18/09/1439 AH)  
[ ] 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  
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 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, ext. 3331  
Fax: +(966 11) 210 982 5 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa