Saudi bans poultry imports from France

Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a temporary ban on imports of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products from the French regions of Landes, Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Gers, the Saudi Gazette reported yesterday.

In an official statement, the SFDA said that the ban can into force “due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza,” adding that the decision was made after reviewing a report by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) regarding the registration of new cases of bird flu in these three areas.

This is means for “guaranteeing elimination of the flu virus and provided that these products conform to health requirements and standards, with enclosing a health certificate issued by accredited relevant authorities in France proving that these products are free from the virus”, it added.

The kingdom has previously imposed a ban on poultry imports from France’s  Saint-Geours-de-Maremne region as a result of the spread of the same disease.