المملكة: Urgent – Amendments to the Agriculture Regulations…an electronic license for imports and a ban on the sale of unvaccinated animals

The amendments included amending Articles forty-five, ninety-eight, and two hundred and eight, in addition to the fifth paragraph of Article two hundred and forty-eight of the executive regulations of the agricultural system issued by the decision. Ministerial No. “1444/1/14967” dated 1/15/1444 AH.

Electronic license to import vegetables and fruits

The first amendments focused on Article Forty-Five, which reorganized the procedures for importing fresh vegetables and fruits into the Kingdom, as it stipulated that the importer must submit an electronic application to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture to obtain an import license before entering shipments, with full compliance with the requirements of the agricultural quarantine system for countries The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and its executive regulations, in addition to all decisions issued by the Ministry regarding the import of plant products.

The amended article confirmed that the license will only be granted to two categories of importers, the first being Saudi legal persons licensed to practice the activity, and the second investors registered with the Ministry of Investment in accordance with the provisions of the investment system, in a way that enhances market regulation and limits import operations to regulatory authorities.

Detailed requirements for obtaining a license

The regulation required Importers must attach a set of basic data with the license application, including the importer’s address, date of import, and country of export, in addition to additional requirements that vary according to the category of importer.

Importers who own warehouses and refrigerators are required to submit the coordinates of those locations, so that Ministry inspectors can inspect them in the field and ensure their readiness and suitability to receive and store shipments of imported vegetables and fruits in accordance with health and technical requirements.

As for importers Those who rely on direct supply must submit documented contracts with commercial centers or distributors, in addition to a statement explaining the refrigerated means of transportation used to transport shipments, as well as proving the financial solvency of the importer.

A period not exceeding three days for issuing the license

Among the most prominent among the amendments is specifying a clear time period for completing license applications, as it obligated the Ministry to issue the license electronically within a period not exceeding three working days from the date of completing the application and meeting all requirements.

It required Informing the applicant electronically during the same period if the application is rejected, while continuing to issue licenses including the basic data of the importer and the validity period of the license, which contributes to speeding up procedures and raising the level of electronic services provided to beneficiaries.

Comprehensive regulation of livestock markets

Article ninety-eight witnessed expanded amendments aimed at reorganizing livestock markets in the Kingdom, as it stipulated that the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, or its delegate, shall determine appropriate locations for establishing seasonal and permanent markets for trading and selling. Various types of livestock, with the prohibition of selling or trading outside licensed locations.

The regulations also stipulated that new markets be established outside the urban areas of cities, governorates and villages, and that veterinary clinics be available within them to supervise the health status of animals offered for sale, in a way that enhances animal health standards and disease prevention.

Preventing the sale of unvaccinated or sick animals

The amendments stressed the prohibition of the sale of any type of livestock unless it meets all programs. Vaccinations approved by the Ministry, provided that these vaccinations are carried out by licensed persons or entities.

It also prohibited the display or sale of any animal showing signs of fatigue, stress, or symptoms of illness, and required its immediate isolation in a location far from healthy animals, in order to preserve public health and prevent the transmission of diseases between animals.

Obligating camel owners to register sales transactions electronically

The amended article included the obligation of camel owners to register all sales, rental or Bartering electronically within a period not exceeding thirty days from the date of completion of the process.

She explained that the data required to be registered includes the type of camel, its age, sex, and color, in addition to the value of the sale, lease, or barter. The Ministry is responsible for preparing the controls regulating these operations, which contributes to raising the level of governance and tracking the movement of camels within the Kingdom.

Regulation of aquaculture projects

The Ministry also amended Article 208 to confirm the necessity of All individuals, institutions, companies, agricultural cooperatives, and the like must obtain a prior license from the Ministry before establishing any aquaculture project.

It obligated foreign investors wishing to practice this activity to register with the Ministry of Investment in accordance with the investment system, in order to achieve integration between government agencies regulating investment and agricultural activities.

Expanding the powers of inspectors

With regard to oversight, amendments to Article 248 came to give inspectors broader powers in controlling violations.

These powers included entering licensed and unlicensed agricultural and veterinary facilities, and ensuring their compliance with the provisions of the system, regulations, decisions, and instructions issued by the Ministry, in addition to initiating reports and monitoring violations through field tours or using aerial photography and other modern means.

Inspectors have the right to view records, inspect devices and equipment, and ensure the regularity of the work of the cadres working inside the facilities and obtaining the necessary licenses.

Accurate controls to prove Violations

The regulations obliged inspectors to prepare comprehensive control reports that include the place, date and time of the violation, the names of the inspectors, the violator’s information, an accurate description of the violation, identifying agricultural resources or the means used in them, inventorying the seized items, and documenting the violation with appropriate evidence, whether with photos, video recordings, or other means of proof.

The report must be signed by the inspector and the violator when he or she is present, and if If he abstains from signing, this is officially recorded in the arrest report, along with notifying him of the Ministry’s review in accordance with the approved forms.

The amendments also regulated the mechanism for investigating violators, as it required hearing the statements of the person responsible for the violation and everyone related to it, and recording all investigation procedures in writing or via available electronic means, documenting the place and time of the investigation, the name of the investigator, the data of the person under investigation, the questions asked and his answers, and the signature of all parties or proof of abstention from signing when it occurs.

Special procedures For violations whose perpetrator is unknown

And to address cases in which it is impossible to reach the perpetrator of the violation, the amendments stipulate that a report of the violation be prepared, with the Ministry or whomever it delegates, after coordination with the competent authorities, removing the violation.

The violator shall bear all costs of removing the violation and the penalties resulting from it once he is identified, with the matter being referred to the competent authorities if he refuses to cooperate or continues to commit the violation, in addition to enabling the competent authorities to assign the violator who does not It has a fixed headquarters to review it and pay the fines after providing it with the necessary data.