G/SPS/N/ALB/201  
 
25 April 2017  
(17-2243) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member : ALBANIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water 
Management  
3. Products covered (pro vide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Live poultry, semen, embryos, ova  and by -products of 
poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Greece, in the region of Dytiki Makedonia (Lakes 
of Prespes in Florina Prefecture)  
5. Title of the not ified document : Order of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural 
Development and Water Management "On some protective measures against the disease 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in Greece" . Language (s): Albanian . Number 
of pages:  2 
6. Description of co ntent: This Order of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development 
and Water Management provides some protective measures against the outbreak of 
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease in the region indicated in point 4. A ban 
has been placed on t he imports of all live poultry, semen, embryos, ova  and by -products 
of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8, from the territory 
described in point 4, to the Albanian territory. In addition, the veterinary certificate 
should guarantee their origin. The measures also consist in stopping the import of 
unsterile biological materials originating from all live poultry, semen, embryos, ova  and 
by-products of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 in the 
territory described  in point 4, to the Albanian territory.  
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[X] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory 
from other damage from pest s. The objective is to pro tect animal and human health 
in the territory of Albania against the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 disease 
outbreak into the territory described in point 4.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: This Order is to 
protect  animal  and human health against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 
disease, by banning the import and transit of all live poultry, semen, embryos, ova  and 
by-products of poultry affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8.  G/SPS/N/ALB/201  
 
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  9. Is there a releva nt international standard? 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, ch apter number) : Chapter number 10.4  
[ ] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] 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:  
Notifications submitted to the World Organization for Animal Health, OIE, related to the 
outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H 5N8 disease in Greece (24 March 2017), 
according to the Terrestrial Animal Health Code.   
11. Date of entry into force  (dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
13 April 2017  
[ ] Trade facilit ating  measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to ha ndle comments : [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
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:  
General Directory of Agriculture Services and Fishery  
SPS Enquiry Point - Albania  
Tel: +(355 4) 2 259 333  
Fax: +(355 4) 2 259 333  
E-mail: mbumk_sps@yahoo.com  
Website: http://www.bujqesia.gov.al