G/SPS/N/SAU/497  
20 March 2023  
(23-1994) 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:  National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plants Pest and 
Animal Diseases  
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):  Live animal s 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries:  South Africa  
5. Title of the notified document:  Notice of the Ministry of Environment Water and 
Agriculture, Decision No. 79497/35/1444 dated 2 March 2023 entitled "Lifting the 
Temporary Ban imposed on importation of live animals originated from South Africa" . 
Language(s):  . Number of pages:   
6. Descri ption of content:  After a technical visit to South Africa done by a Saudi specialt y 
team, they recommended open the importation of live animals from South Africa to the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [X]  animal healt h, [ ] 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:  After a  technical visit 
done by a Saudi specialt y team to South Africa , they recommended open the importation 
of live animals from South Africa to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  
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 
Anima l Health Code, chapter number) : Animal Terrestrial health code, 
Chapter  8.8 
[ ] 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:   G/SPS/N/SAU/497  
 
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  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):  
2 March 2023  
[ ] 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 - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.g ov.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 - Food Sector  
Contact person: Mohammed AL Huthiel  
SFDA - 4904 North Ring branch rd - Hitteen Dist Unit Number (1) - Riyadh 13513 - 7148 
Tel: +(966 11) 203 8222, Ext: 3313  
E-mail: spsep.food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa