Saudi Arabia has placed a ban on the importation of poultry and egg products from Nigeria and 39 other countries worldwide.
The restriction was announced by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) as part of measures aimed at safeguarding public health and strengthening food safety standards in the Kingdom’s domestic market.
Nigeria is among several African nations affected by the total ban. Other countries on the list include South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Libya, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Niger and Ivory Coast.
According to reports by the Saudi Gazette, the decision forms part of precautionary steps taken by Saudi authorities in response to global health concerns, particularly the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
Saudi officials disclosed that while some countries have been under restriction since 2004, others were added gradually following health risk assessments and international disease monitoring reports.
The ban also extends beyond Africa to countries such as the United Kingdom, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Iran, Iraq and Vietnam.
However, authorities clarified that poultry meat and related products that have been properly heat treated or processed to eliminate the Newcastle disease virus may still be eligible for export into Saudi Arabia.
Such products must comply with approved health standards, be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by competent authorities in the exporting country, and originate from approved production facilities before they can be admitted into the Kingdom.
Saudi authorities further noted that the list of affected countries will be reviewed periodically in line with global health developments.
