June 2, 2015

Saudi Arabia extends US poultry ban to 13 states

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has temporarily banned the import of poultry products from five more US states due to the spread of severe bird flu there.

The five other states are: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. These add on to the list which already includes Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

The SFDA, however, excluded from the temporary ban poultry products that are heat treated or in any other way capable of eradicating the bird flu virus, and those that comply with the requirements of health controls and accredited standards.

The temporary ban is expected to continue until the health status of livestock there are assured, and approval of facilities for export of poultry products have been granted.