Saudi Arabia Restricts Poultry, Egg Imports from Dozens of Countries

Saudi Arabia’s Food and Drug Authority has banned poultry and table egg imports from 40 countries, including India, and imposed partial restrictions on some regions in 16 other countries. The authority said the measures are to protect public health and ensure food safety in the domestic market. The updated import list is one of the largest revisions in recent years.

The authority said the list will be reviewed regularly based on global health developments and disease reports. It said some bans have been in place since 2004, while others were introduced over time following risk assessments and reports on animal diseases, including outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Countries affected by the full ban include Afghanistan, Germany, Indonesia, South Africa, China, Iraq, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Japan and the United Kingdom among others. Partial restrictions apply to certain regions in countries including Australia, the United States, Italy, France, Canada and Malaysia.

The authority said the restrictions do not apply to poultry products that have been heat-treated or properly processed to eliminate bird flu or Newcastle disease. It said such products must meet approved health requirements and be accompanied by a valid health certificate from the exporting country.