G/SPS/N/SAU/256  
 
3 March 2017  
(17-1294) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY 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 tarif f 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 pract icable : 
[ ] All trading partners    
[X] Specific regions or countries: Kuwait, the State of  
5. Title of the notified document : Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 22387 dated 26 February 2017 (29/05/1438 AH) entitled "Tempor ary 
ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Kuwait . 
Language (s):  . Number of pages:    
6. Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 22782 dated 9 February 
2017, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus  (HPAI) outbreaks have occurred in 
Kuwait. In compliance with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial 
Animal Health Code Chapter 10.4, it is deemed necessary for 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 ensure deactivation of avian 
influenza viruses) from Kuwait to the Kingdom of Saud i Arabia is temporarily suspended.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [ ]  protect territory from 
other damage from pest s.   
8. Nature of the urgent p roblem(s) and reason for urgent action: Outbreaks of HPAI 
have been reported in Kuwait 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 :  
[ ] 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) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 
Chapter 10.4  
[ ] Internation al Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :   
[ ] None  G/SPS/N/SAU/256  
 
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  Does this proposed regulation conform to the re levant international st andard?  
[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 appli cation (as applicable): 
26 February 2017  (29/05/1438 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 av ailable) 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 Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:  
Saudi Food and Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring roa d 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/