Saudi Arabia Enforces Major Poultry Import Restrictions Amid Global Disease Concerns
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has implemented one of the most comprehensive updates to poultry and table egg import regulations in recent years. This decisive action involves a complete prohibition on imports from 40 countries, coupled with targeted regional restrictions affecting 16 additional nations. The move is part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health and reinforce food safety standards within the local market.
Precautionary Measures and Continuous Monitoring
Issued as a precautionary measure, the revised import list reflects the authority's commitment to proactive health protection. Officials emphasized that the list of restricted countries will undergo periodic reviews aligned with global health developments. Some of these bans have been in effect since 2004, with other nations added progressively over the years based on updated risk assessments and international reports concerning animal diseases.
The primary driver behind these restrictions is the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. This approach demonstrates continuous monitoring of the global epidemiological situation, with regulatory adjustments made in response to evolving disease patterns and emerging health risks.
Complete Import Ban Affects 40 Countries
The full prohibition on poultry and table egg imports applies comprehensively to the following 40 nations:
- 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 now completely prohibited under the current regulatory decision.
Partial Restrictions Target Specific Regions in 16 Nations
Beyond the comprehensive bans, Saudi authorities have imposed partial restrictions affecting specific provinces and cities within 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
These restrictions apply only to designated states and cities rather than implementing nationwide prohibitions, allowing for more nuanced control measures based on localized disease outbreaks.
Exemptions for Properly Processed Products
The authority has clarified that certain processed poultry products may qualify for exemptions from the temporary ban. Specifically, poultry meat and related products that have undergone sufficient heat treatment or other processing methods to eliminate the bird flu or Newcastle disease virus may be permitted.
However, these exemptions come with strict conditions. Products must:
- Fully comply with approved health requirements, controls, and standard specifications
- Be accompanied by an official health certificate
- Have the certificate issued by competent official authorities in the exporting country
- Confirm that the applied heat treatment or processing is sufficient to eliminate the bird flu or Newcastle disease virus
- Originate from an approved facility
All conditions must be met without exception for the exemption to apply, with the additional requirement that products come from approved establishments that meet Saudi regulatory standards.
