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 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 practicable:

[ ]      All trading partners  

[X]    Specific regions or countries: Ontario (Canada)

5.

Title of the notified document: Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug Authority Ref. No. 93/36 dated 21 April 2015 (02/07/1436 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of poultry meat, eggs and their products" originated from Ontario, Canada  Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages: 1

http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/SAU/15_1794_00_x.pdf

6.

Description of content: Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 17483, dated 8 April 2015, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus – HPAI outbreak has occurred in Ontario, Canada. In compliance with Article 10.4.4, Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 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 insure deactivation of avian influenza viruses) from Ontario, Canada to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended.

7.

Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, [X] 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 HPAI has been reported in Ontario, Canada by official announcement of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). It was confirmed on 5 April 2015. 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) Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code

[ ]      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): 21 April 2015 (02/07/1436 AH)

[ ]      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:

SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food and Drug Authority

SFDA – 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) – Riyadh 13312 – 6288

Tel: +(966 1) 275 9222, ext. 3331

Fax: +(966 1) 210 9825

E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa

Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa

13.

Text(s) available from: [ ] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food and Drug Authority

SFDA – 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) – Riyadh 13312 – 6288

Tel: +(966 1) 275 9222, ext. 3331

Fax: +(966 1) 210 9825

E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa

Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa