G/SPS/N/SAU/189  
 
4 January 2016  
(16-0033)  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:  Animal and Plant Quarantine Department, Ministry of Agriculture 
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): Live bees 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Italy 
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Ministry of Agriculture Decision No. 99510 
dated 10 December 2015, Temporary ban of importation of live honeybees - originated from Republic of Italy  Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages: 1 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/SAU/15_5044_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content: According to the message of the World Organization for 
Animal Health (OIE) dated 30 October 2015, which indicates small hive beetle 
infestation - Aethine tumida  outbreak in Italy, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of small hive beetle infestation - Aethine tumida  into 
the country. Therefore the import of live honeybees from Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] 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:  Due to the 
presence of small hive beetle infestation - Aethine tumida  outbreak in Italy that infects 
live honeybees (OIE listed, disease), the competent authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is instituting this emergency measure to prevent the entry of small hive beetle 
infestation - Aethine tumida  into the country. Therefore, the import of live honeybees 
from Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial  n u m b e r  o f  C o d e x  
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 1.4 " Terrestrial Animal health surveillance" 
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)   G/SPS/N/SAU/189 
 
- 2 - 
 
  [ ] 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): 
10 December 2015 (28/2/1437 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:  
Ministry of Agriculture  
Animal and Plant Quarantine Department 
king Abd ul aziz road Tel: +(966 1) 404 4292 
 +(966 1) 401 6666 Ext. 3074 
Fax: +(966 1) 4011323 E-mail: alfadlg@hotmail.com 
Website: http://www.moa.gov.sa/public / portal 
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:  
Ministry of Agriculture 
Animal and Plant Quarantine Department king Abd ul aziz road 
Tel: +(966 1) 404 4292 
 +(966 1) 401 6666 Ext. 3074 Fax: +(966 1) 4011323 
E-mail: alfadlg@hotmail.com 
Website: http://www.moa.gov.sa/public / portal