March 18, 2009

Saudi government has lifted ban on import of fish and other marine products from cholera affected countries subject to the prescribed conditions.

According to information from the Pakistan Trade Development Authority (TDAP), an official and competent authority will take the responsibility of dealing with all matters related to the export of seafood, freshwater or farmed products from the country of origin to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, a specified government authority will serve as liaison office between the country of origin and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all matters related to the export of seafood, freshwater and farmed products.

As prescribed in the guide to the procedure of importing food products to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, health certificates for fish and marine products issued by the concerned government authority will be attached with each consignment and it will confirm that it is free from cholera microbe or any other epidemic disease.

The import of seafood products will be stopped if they are found to be contaminated or there was a cholera epidemic in the country of origin and will only resume when the Saudi authority is sure about the stability of health conditions in the country of origin.

Upon arrival of marine products to the ports of Saudi Arabia, random samples will be collected for examination at the quality control laboratories.

In case of being contaminated with cholera microbe or nonconformity of the product with the standard specifications in the Gulf, the consignment will be rejected and re-exported to the country or origin or will be destroyed.