Saudi Arabia bans poultry imports from a French province due to bird flu
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has issued a decision imposing an immediate and temporary ban on the import of poultry meat, table eggs, and their products and equipment from the Côtes-d'Armor region of France. This decisive action comes in response to confirmed international reports indicating an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in that specific geographic area.
Details of the decision and its circular to the chambers of commerce
In coordination with government agencies, the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce circulated details of this urgent decision, which it received through the Federation of Saudi Chambers, to all its members. The circular is based on an official telegram from the Ministry of Commerce, containing directives issued by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, which were based on a thorough monitoring of global epidemiological developments.
The scope of the ban includes all shipments coming from the aforementioned French province, based on the immediate notification report issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in late December 2025, which provided conclusive evidence of active virus infections in that region.
Exceptions and strict health conditions
In its commitment to market stability and ensuring supply chains, the Authority has exempted shipments of poultry meat and table eggs that have undergone sufficient heat treatment to eliminate the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. The regulatory authorities stipulated the following conditions for releasing these exempted products:
- Attach official health certificates issued by accredited authorities in France.
- The certificates must prove that the products are free of the virus or have undergone the necessary heat treatment.
- Full compliance with Saudi standard specifications to ensure it is free from any other contaminants.
Background on avian influenza and its global impact
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild birds, causing significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. France and other European countries face recurring challenges with outbreaks of this disease, particularly during bird migration seasons, which facilitate the spread of the virus across borders. The Côtes-d'Armor region in Brittany is a major agricultural area in France, making any outbreak there a matter of international concern for regulatory bodies.
The importance of the decision for biosecurity and food security in the Kingdom
These measures are of paramount importance, extending far beyond a mere ban on commercial imports; they represent a first line of defense for protecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's domestic livestock. This ban aims to:
- Preventing transmission: Protecting national poultry projects from the risk of virus transmission that could lead to the death of large numbers of birds and threaten local investments.
- Protecting public health: Ensuring access to safe and healthy food for citizens and residents, as the Kingdom sets strict food safety standards.
- Adherence to international standards: The decision reflects the Kingdom's commitment to global animal health agreements and the strict application of veterinary quarantine procedures.
The Ministry of Commerce and the Federation of Saudi Chambers are continuing their efforts to immediately disseminate these regulations to all importers, to ensure compliance and avoid any financial losses that may result from importing shipments from prohibited areas, stressing the continued close monitoring of the World Organisation for Animal Health reports to lift the ban once the reasons disappear.
