G/SPS/N/HKG/44  
 
25 September 2020  
(20-6513) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member:  HONG KONG, CHINA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the 
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region  
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):  Equine animals  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  Malaysia  
5. Title of the notified document:  Suspension of the import of equine animals from 
Malaysia to Hong Kong and revised export certificates for permanent import, temporary 
import, transit/transhipment and re -entry shipments of horses into Hong Kong . 
Language(s): English . Number of pages:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/HKG/20_5722_00_e.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/HKG/20_5722_01_e.pdf  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/HKG/20_5722_02_e. pdf 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/HKG/20_5722_03_e.pdf  
6. Description of content:  In view of the new outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in 
Malaysia as notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on 
2 September  2020, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong 
Kong Special Administrative Regio n Government has imposed suspension, with immediate 
effect, on permanent import, temporary import, transit/transhipment and re -entry 
shipments of horses from Malaysia to Hong  Kong, China as well as suspension on the 
residency recognition of horses in Malay sia during the 60  days prior to export from other 
scheduled countries/region until further notice.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [X]  animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect terr itory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  To protect Hong 
Kong, China from the introduction of AHS.  G/SPS/N/HKG/44  
 
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  9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimen tarius 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, 
Chapters 4.1, 12.1 -article 12.1.1.  
[ ] 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 language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
4 September 2020   
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conser vation Department  
Import and Export Division  
5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices  
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road; Kowloon; Hong Kong  
Fax: +(852) 2375 3563  
E-mail: icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk   
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department  
Import and Export Division  
5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Governm ent Offices  
303 Cheung Sha Wan Road; Kowloon; Hong Kong  
Fax: +(852) 2375 3563  
E-mail: icsenquiry@afcd.gov.hk