. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/N/SAU/21 
18 January 2012  
 (12-0313) 
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 numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):  Meat and meat by-products (chilled,  frozen and processed) of cattle, goats, 
sheep and camelidae 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  Tajikistan  
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug 
Authority Ref. No. 22/33 dated 21 Decemb er 2011 (26/01/1433 AH) entitled "Temporary 
Ban of the Importation of Meat and Meat By-products (Chilled, Frozen and Processed) of 
Cattle, Goats, Sheep and Camelidae"  originated from Tajikistan   Language(s):  Arabic  
Number of pages:  1 
 http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2012/sps/SAU/12_0030_00_x.pdf  
6. Description of content:  Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 11373, dated 
9 December 2011, it was reported that a foot and mouth disease outbreak has reoccurred in Tajikistan, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom  of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of 
FMD disease into the country.  Therefore, the import of meat and meat by-products 
(chilled, frozen and processed) of cattle, goats , sheep and camelidae from the affected area 
to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other damage from pests.    
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  An outbreak of foot and 
mouth disease (FMD) was reported.  It starte d on 2003 in cattle in  Tajikistan, and it 
reoccurred on 21 November 2011.  The Kingdo m of Saudi Arabia is instituting this 
emergency measure to prevent the entry of foot and mouth disease into the country. G/SPS/N/SAU/21 
Page 2  
 
  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)   
[ ] 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):   
21 December 2011 (26/01/1433 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:   
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 Tel:  +(966 1) 275 9222, Ext. 3358 Fax:  +(966 1) 210 9825 E-mail:  SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa 
Website:  http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Texts available from:  [X] 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 1) 275 9222, Ext. 3358 Fax:  +(966 1) 210 9825 
E-mail:  SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa 
Website:  http://www.sfda.gov.sa