In a decisive move to safeguard public health and its domestic poultry industry, Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension on imports of specific poultry products from France and Poland. This action comes in direct response to confirmed, serious outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease (ND) in both European nations.
Scope of the Import Ban
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) enforced the ban following an urgent advisory from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The prohibition specifically targets:
- Live birds and poultry
- Table eggs for consumption
- Any poultry or egg-derived products that have not been processed with sufficient heat treatment to definitively destroy the HPAI and ND viruses.
Products that have undergone proper, approved heat treatment are exempt from this ban. This includes safely processed poultry meat, table eggs, and other items where the treatment standards guarantee virus elimination.
Strict Conditions for Exempted Shipments
For any allowed imports, the SFDA has laid down rigorous verification protocols. All shipments must be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by accredited authorities in the exporting country—either France or Poland.
This certificate must provide clear confirmation that the products are either entirely free from the viruses or that any potential viral presence has been completely eradicated through the approved processing method. These steps are critical to ensure that no contaminated product enters Saudi Arabia, posing a risk to consumers or local bird populations.
Understanding the Outbreak Situation
The decision by Saudi authorities is rooted in the ongoing and severe animal health crises in France and Poland. Both countries are grappling with significant outbreaks of HPAI and Newcastle disease affecting commercial poultry farms and wild birds.
To contain the rapid spread, authorities in Europe have initiated mass culling of infected and exposed flocks and implemented stringent movement controls. As of January 2026, the outbreak situation remains active and concerning, prompting international alerts and precautionary trade measures like the one taken by Saudi Arabia.
This proactive ban underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to preventive health measures. By controlling its borders and demanding verified safety documentation, the kingdom aims to avert the severe economic losses and public health threats that would follow if these contagious bird diseases entered its territory.
