G/SPS/N/SAU/336  
 
30 January 2018  
(18-0671) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY 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): Fish and crustacean and other products of aquatic animal origin  
4. Regions  or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners  
[X] Specific regions or countries: Viet Nam  
5. Title of the notified document: Notice of Administrative Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 2 1174 dated 23 January 2018 (06/05/1439 AH) entitled "Temporary 
ban on the importation of fish and crustacean and other products of aquatic animal origin 
originating from Viet Nam" . Language(s): . Number of pages:  
6. Description of content: Based on the OIE "Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report 
(Asia-Pacific Region) April - June 2017", White spot disease (WSD) and Acute 
hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) are known to be present in Viet Nam. 
In addition, the SFDA technical team visited Viet Nam , observed the controls applied by 
the Vietnamese government for export facilities of fish and crustacean and other products 
of aquatic animal origin , and made recommendations . Therefore, the import of fish and 
crustacean and other products of aquatic anima l origin from Viet Nam 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 da mage from pests.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: The " Quarterly 
Aquatic Animal Disease Report (Asia -Pacific Region) April - June 2017 " shows that WSD 
and AHPND are present in Viet Nam. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is insti tuting this 
emergency measure to prevent the introduction of WSD and AHPND 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 text) :  
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Aquatic Animal Health Code, 
Chapter s 9.1. and 9.8  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  G/SPS/N/SAU/336  
 
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  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 language(s) in which these are av ailable:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
23 January 2018 (06/05/1439 AH)  
[ ] Trade facilitating 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) 210 982 5 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@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) 210 982 5 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa