Saudi Arabia has imposed a comprehensive ban on the import of poultry, eggs and related products from nearly 40 countries, including India, in view of escalating global health risks. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) announced that the measure has been taken as a precautionary step to safeguard public health and reinforce the Kingdom’s food safety standards amid the rapid spread of avian influenza and other infectious diseases worldwide.
Authorities said the decision aims to prevent the possible entry of virus-infected poultry products into the country, noting that certain bird-borne viruses can also infect humans. Stressing that prevention is better than containment after an outbreak, the SFDA stated that it would not compromise on the quality and safety of imported food items.
The list of affected nations spans Asia, Europe and other regions, and includes countries such as India, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal and Afghanistan. The sweeping restriction is expected to have a significant impact on the global poultry trade.
India, in particular, exports substantial quantities of poultry products, including meat and eggs, to Gulf countries, and exporters may face financial losses due to the ban. However, Saudi authorities indicated that the restrictions could be reviewed once the disease situation improves in the concerned countries and appropriate clearances are issued by international health agencies.