Tilapia, catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus paludinosus

Notice of Executive Order of Saudi Food and Drug Authority Ref. No. 6774 dated 14 November 2016 (14/02/1438 AH) entitled "Temporary ban of importation of Tilapia, Catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus paludinosus" originated from Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe.

Following the OIE reports, Ref. No. 20774 dated 19 August 2016, Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome outbreaks have occurred in Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe. In compliance with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapter 10.2, it is deemed necessary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to prevent the entry of Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome into the country. Therefore, the import of Tilapia, Catfish and straight fin fish - Barbus paludinosus from Mashonaland and Midlands, Zimbabwe to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is temporarily suspended, with the exception of the following:

1.  Heat sterilised hermetically sealed fish products (i.e. a heat treatment at 121°C for at least 3.6 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent);

2.  Pasteurised fish products that have been subjected to heat treatment at 90°C for at least ten minutes (or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate A. invadans);

3.  Mechanically dried eviscerated fish (i.e. a heat treatment at 100°C for at least 30 minutes or any time/temperature equivalent which has been demonstrated to inactivate A. invadans);

4.  Frozen eviscerated fish;

5.  Frozen fish fillets or steaks;

6.  Fish oil; and

7.  Fish meal (feeding) .