The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued an immediate decision imposing a temporary ban on the import of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products and equipment from two specific regions in France and Poland. This decision comes in response to recent international reports confirming outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in those areas, and reflects the Kingdom's commitment to ensuring food safety and protecting public health.
Details of restricted areas and international reports
The authority based its decision on immediate notification reports issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), which detected confirmed cases of the virus in late December 2025. The ban specifically included the Calvados region in France, based on a report issued on December 18, and the Lodzkie region in Poland, based on a report issued on December 19. The Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, in coordination with the Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Ministry of Commerce, circulated these instructions to all importers to ensure immediate compliance and to prevent the import of any shipments from affected areas.
Disease context and global risks
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild birds. Its highly virulent strains are characterized by their rapid spread and ability to cause significant economic losses in the livestock sector. Countries typically resort to zoning restrictions rather than nationwide bans, in accordance with the standards of the World Trade Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health, to ensure the continuation of safe trade with disease-free areas while containing outbreaks.
Exceptions and strict health conditions
In its commitment to market stability and the continuity of supply chains, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has included specific exceptions for products that have undergone sufficient heat treatment to eliminate the virus. The SFDA stipulated the following conditions for releasing these products:
- Attach official health certificates proving that the products are free of the virus or have undergone the necessary heat treatment.
- The products conform to Saudi standard specifications and approved health requirements.
- The certificates must be issued by accredited regulatory bodies in the countries of origin.
Protecting food security and local production
This measure holds strategic importance that extends beyond a mere temporary ban. Through these proactive steps, the Kingdom aims to protect its national poultry industry, which has witnessed significant growth in recent years, and to prevent the spread of any cross-border epidemics that could threaten local livestock. The decision also reflects the vigilance of Saudi regulatory bodies and their rapid response to global epidemiological developments, thereby bolstering consumer confidence in the safety of food products available in local markets, whether imported or domestically produced.
