Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has imposed a temporary ban on the import of poultry and table eggs from France and Poland. This in the wake of the outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease (ND) in some provinces of both these countries. The ban is based on an immediate advisory issued by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) following the outbreaks.

The temporary ban excludes poultry meat, table eggs, and their products that have undergone heat treatment sufficient to eliminate the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in France and the Newcastle disease virus in Poland.

The SFDA stipulated that the treatment must comply with approved health requirements and standards, and that a health certificate issued by the official authorities accredited in France and Poland must be attached, confirming that the product is free from the virus causing the disease or that it has been eradicated.

Both France and Poland are actively dealing with significant outbreaks of HPAI and ND in their poultry and wild bird populations, leading to mass culling and strict control measures. As of January 2026, both these countries are experiencing significant and ongoing outbreaks.