G/SPS/N/SAU/71  
 
20 September 2013  
(13-4996)  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:  Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) 
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): Poultry meat, eggs and their products 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Italy (Ostellato, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna)  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 127/34 dated 11 September 2013 (5/11/1434 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Ostellato, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna in Italy  Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages: 1
 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2013/sps/SAU/13_3740_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 13920, dated 
15 August 2013, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7) outbreak has occurred in 
Italy (Ostellato, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna). It is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7) into 
the country. Therefore, the import of poultr y meat, eggs and their products (with the 
exception of processed poultry meat and egg products exposed to either heat or other 
treatments that insure deactivation of avian influenza viruses) from Ostellato, Ferrara, 
Emilia-Romagna in Italy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pe st or disease, [ ] protect territory 
from other damage from pests.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s)  and reason for urgent action: An outbreak of 
highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7) has been reported by official announcement 
of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It was pre-confirmed on 14 August 2013, and confirmed on 15 August  2013. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is 
instituting this emergency measure to prevent the introduction of highly pathogenic 
avian influenza virus (H7) into the country. 
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? 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, chapter number)   G/SPS/N/SAU/71 
 
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  [ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)   
[ ] 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): 
11 September 2013 (5/11/1434 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:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & 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. Texts available from: [ ] National Noti fication Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail a ddress (if available)  of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & 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