1.

Notifying Member: United Arab Emirates

If applicable, name of local government involved:  

2.

Agency responsible: Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW)

3.

Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable): Live poultry (HS Code: 0105), and poultry products including poultry meat (HS Code: 0207), day-old chicks (HS Code: 0105.11), hatching eggs, except heat-treated meat.

4.

Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:

[ ]      All trading partners  

[X]    Specific regions or countries: Italy

5.

Title of the notified document: Ministerial Decree Number (7) of year 2015 concerning the imposition of the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products including poultry meat, day-old chicks, hatching eggs, except heat- treated meat from Italy.   Language(s): Arabic  Number of pages:   

6.

Description of content: United Arab Emirates is applying a ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products including poultry meat, day-old chicks and eggs originating from Italy, except heat-treated meat.

7.

Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, [X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other damage from pests.  

8.

Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: Regarding immediate notification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Italy on 16 December 2014, and in compliance with Article 10.4.4, Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Italy is no longer identified as a country free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. There is a risk of contamination from importing poultry and poultry products from countries affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

9.

Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:

[ ]      Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex standard or related text)  

[X]    World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic Animal Health Code, chapter number) Chapter 10.4 of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code

[ ]      International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)  

[ ]      None

Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?

[X] Yes   [ ] No

If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the international standard:  

10.

Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available: http://www.moew.gov.ae/ar/laws-and-legislations/ministerial-decrees/banning-decrees.aspx#page=1 (available in Arabic).

11.

Date of entry into force (dd/mm/yy)/period of application (as applicable): 6 January 2015

[ ]      Trade facilitating measure  

12.

Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Eng. Saif Moh. Al-Shara

Assistant Undersecretary for the Agricultural Affairs and Animal Sector

Responsible for WTO SPS Enquiries

Ministry of Environment and Water

P.O. Box 1509

United Arab Emirates - Dubai

Tel: +(971 4) 214 8400

Fax: +(971 4) 265 5822

Mobile: +(971 50) 629 5050

E-mail: smalshara@moew.gov.ae

Website: http://www.moew.gov.ae

13.

Text(s) available from: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Dr. Mervat Mari Al Nuaimat

Acting Veterinarian in Animal Heath and Development Department/Quarantine

Ministry of Environment and Water

P.O. Box 1509

United Arab Emirates - Dubai

Tel: +(971 4) 214 8478

Fax: +(971 4) 265 5822

Mobile: +(971 55) 137 5997

E-mail: mmalnuaimat@moew.gov.ae

Website: http://www.moew.gov.ae