The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued a decision imposing a temporary ban on the import of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products and equipment from the Malopolska region of Poland. This decisive decision comes in immediate response to international health reports confirming an outbreak of Newcastle disease in that region, necessitating urgent preventive measures to ensure food safety and protect livestock in the Kingdom.
The authority based its decision on a report issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on December 23, 2025, which documented confirmed cases of the disease in the aforementioned province. In light of this, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce circulated a letter it received from the Federation of Saudi Chambers, containing directives from the Ministry of Commerce based on the authority's decision No. (28634/1) issued on December 28, 2025, which mandates all importers and relevant parties to immediately comply with this ban.
Exceptions and health requirements
The authority clarified that the ban does not apply to all products, as those that have undergone sufficient heat treatment to ensure the elimination of the Newcastle disease virus are exempt. The authority stipulated that these exempted products must comply with all approved health requirements and standards, and must be accompanied by a certified health certificate issued by the relevant official authorities in Poland, confirming that the product is free of the virus and has been heat-treated according to international standards.
Background on Newcastle disease and its impact
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting birds and poses a significant threat to the poultry industry worldwide. The virus spreads rapidly among flocks, causing substantial economic losses due to high mortality rates and reduced egg production. Countries typically take strict measures when outbreaks occur to prevent cross-border transmission, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) classifies it as a notifiable disease.
The Authority's role in protecting food security
This move by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) comes as part of its ongoing strategy to monitor and track the global epidemiological situation. The SFDA works diligently to review international reports related to food safety and animal health to ensure that no products that could pose a risk to public health or threaten local livestock enter the country. These precautionary measures are an integral part of the Kingdom's food security system, contributing to consumer protection and supporting the sustainability of national poultry projects by preventing the introduction of transboundary diseases.
