Kamal Ghorui
Saudi authorities have tightened controls on poultry and table egg imports in one of the most extensive updates in recent years. The revised import list, examined by Okaz newspaper, confirms that imports from 40 countries are fully banned, with additional regional restrictions imposed on 16 other nations amid ongoing global disease concerns.
The decision was issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority as part of precautionary measures aimed at protecting public health and reinforcing food safety in the local market.The authority stressed that the list of restricted countries is subject to periodic review in line with global health developments. It confirmed that some of the ban decisions have been in effect since 2004, while other countries were added progressively over the years based on updated risk assessments and international reports concerning animal diseases.Among the primary concerns cited are outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The approach reflects continuous monitoring of the global epidemiological situation and regulatory adjustments based on evolving disease patterns.
40 countries under full ban
The full ban on poultry and table egg imports applies to the following 40 countries:Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Djibouti, South Africa, China, Iraq, Ghana, Palestine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, South Korea, North Korea, Laos, Libya, Myanmar, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Serbia, Slovenia, Ivory Coast, and Montenegro.Imports of poultry and table eggs from these countries are completely prohibited under the current decision.
Partial ban covering specific regions in 16 countries
In addition to the full ban, a partial ban has been imposed targeting specific provinces and cities in 16 countries. These include:Australia, the United States, Italy, Belgium, Bhutan, Poland, Togo, Denmark, Romania, Zimbabwe, France, the Philippines, Canada, Malaysia, Austria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.The restrictions in these countries apply only to designated states and cities rather than nationwide prohibitions.
Exemptions for heat-treated products
The authority clarified that poultry meat and related products that have undergone heat treatment or other processing methods sufficient to eliminate the bird flu or Newcastle disease virus may be exempt from the temporary ban.However, the exemption is conditional. Such products must:
- Fully comply with approved health requirements, controls, and standard specifications
- Be accompanied by a health certificate
- Have the certificate issued by the competent official authorities in the exporting country
- Confirm that the heat treatment or processing applied is sufficient to eliminate the bird flu or Newcastle disease virus
- Originate from an approved facility
All conditions must be met for the exemption to apply, without prejudice to the requirement that the product comes from an approved establishment.
