SFDA implemented strict measures to protect citizens and residents of KSA from imported honey from 8 countries wherein Small Hive beetle- Aethina tumida disease has spread.
In its statement, SFDA declared that OTE organization alerted from the discovery of Small Hive beetle- Aethina tumida disease in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico and USA. Therefore, SFDA issued a circular to its inspection departments to strengthen control and not to release any honey, honey comb and honey queen food shipments from the above countries unless they are accompanied by health certificates proving that such shipments are from areas where such disease does not exist.