G/SPS/N/SAU/285  
 
7 August 2017  
(17-4257) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY 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): Poultry meat, eggs and their products  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practi cable : 
[ ] All trading partners  
[X] Specific regions or countries: Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 36424 dated 27 July 2017 (4/11/1438 AH) enti tled "Temporary ban 
on the  importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originating from Ituri, 
Democratic Republic of the Congo . Language(s): . Number of pages:  
6. Description of content: Following the OIE report, Ref. No. 24188 dated 30 June 2 017, 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) outbreaks have occurred in Ituri, 
Democratic Republic of the Congo . In compliance with the World Organization for Animal 
Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed necessary fo r 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 ensur e 
deactivation of avian influenza viruses) from Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 HPAI 
have been reported in Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 HPAI into the country.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard :  
[ ] Code x 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) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 
Chapter 10.4  
[ ] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  G/SPS/N/SAU/285  
 
- 2 - 
 
  [ ] None  
Does this proposed 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 July 2017 (4/11/1438 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.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Text(s)  available from:  [X] National Notification Authority, [ X] National E nquiry 
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: SP SEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa