Food and Drug Authority ( has announced an official decision to lift the temporary ban on imports of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products and derivatives from specific regions in three European countries: Denmark, Ireland, and France. This decision comes as part of the SFDA's periodic review of the epidemiological situation in exporting countries to ensure the safety of imported food and meet the needs of the local market.
Details of the areas covered by the decision
The authority clarified that the decision includes allowing the entry of shipments from Southern Denmark in the Kingdom of Denmark, Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland, and Ain in the French Republic. This move was based on recent and documented reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) , which confirmed the complete control of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in those regions and the absence of any new outbreaks, thus making their products safe for human consumption.
Health standards and strict control
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) confirmed that lifting the ban does not mean relaxing regulatory procedures. All shipments arriving from these regions will be subject to rigorous inspections at the Kingdom's border crossings. The SFDA bases its procedures on the "Code of Terrestrial Animal Health" and international standards that allow member states to lift trade restrictions once the health risk has subsided, while continuing to enforce the requirements for approved health certificates to ensure that products are free from any contaminants or infectious diseases.
Economic impact and enhanced food security
This decision represents a positive step towards enhancing food security in the Kingdom, as diversifying import sources contributes to the stability of supply chains and ensures the availability of essential food products such as poultry and eggs at competitive prices and high quality. This measure opens the door for Saudi importers to expand their trade options and contract with suppliers from reliable European markets, which will positively impact the balance of supply and demand in the local market.
Generalizing the decision to the business sector
In a related development, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce, in line with the directives of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, immediately circulated this decision to all its members, including business owners and importers. The relevant authorities urged the business sector to begin contracting and shipping procedures according to the updated regulations, while fully adhering to Saudi technical regulations and standards to ensure the smooth and continuous flow of food products.
