G/SPS/N/SAU/223  
 
19 December 2016  
(16-6904) Page: 1/2 
Committee on San itary 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): Poultry meat, eggs and their products  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or pract icable : 
[ ] All trading partners    
[X] Specific regions or countries: Vorarlberg, Austria  
5. Title of the notified document : Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 8363 dated 27 November 2016 (27/02/1438 AH) entitled "Temporar y 
ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Vorarlberg 
in Austria . Language (s):  . Number of pages:    
6. Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 21520 dated 11 November 
2016, Highly Pathogenic Avian I nfluenza Virus (HPAI) outbreaks have occurred in 
Vorarlberg, Austria. In compliance with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) 
Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry  of HPAI into the country. Therefore, the import of 
poultry meat, eggs and their products (with the exception of processed poultry meat and 
egg products exposed to either heat or other treatments that ensure deactivation of 
avian influenza viruses) from Vo rarlberg in Austria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
temporarily suspended.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damag e from pest s.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Outbreaks of HPAI 
have been reported in Vorarlberg, Austria by official announcement of the World 
Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is institu ting this 
emergency measure to prevent the introduction of HPAI 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 tex t):   
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)  (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 
Chapter 10.4  
[ ] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :   G/SPS/N/SAU/223  
 
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  [ ] None  
Does this propo sed regulation conform to the re levant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, 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): 
27 November 2016 (27/02/1438 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 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.F ood@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/