Saudi ministry issues new regulations for camel trading

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has approved new regulatory measures governing camel trading in Saudi Arabia, aimed at organizing the sale, purchase, leasing, and bartering of camels. The initiative seeks to improve sector practices, safeguard the rights of owners and traders, and promote animal welfare and the livestock sector overall.

The new regulations set clear standards and require compliance with legal provisions for camel transactions, ensuring rights are protected, exploitation is prevented, and animal welfare is enhanced. This move is part of the ministry’s broader efforts to develop the camel sector and strengthen governance through a comprehensive regulatory framework that oversees commercial dealings, documents ownership, and raises adherence to health and biosecurity requirements to support the sector’s sustainability.

Regulatory standards and detailed procedures

The regulations are based on the Agriculture Law and its executive regulations, the GCC Animal Welfare Law, and ministerial guidelines on camel registration and electronic management. They apply to individuals and entities involved in camel trading, in accordance with relevant laws.

The rules specify requirements for contract validity, camel data, and pricing, obliging sellers to transfer ownership, deliver camels in agreed condition, and disclose health status. Buyers are required to pay, receive, provide medical care, conduct examinations and vaccinations, arrange transport, and register the animals.

Regulating auctions, leasing, and bartering

The regulations govern temporary camel auctions, mandate ownership transfers according to legal procedures, and prohibit the sale or display of camels showing signs of stress, illness, or lacking vaccinations. They also require documentation of camel, seller, and buyer details, prices, and payment methods, and enforce livestock transport rules, with unauthorized camel transport subject to fines.

For animal welfare, the regulations ban provoking or disturbing camels, require adequate space around them, and mandate cleanliness at display sites. They also provide channels for reporting abuse or cruelty, with appropriate legal action to follow.

Regarding camel leasing, the rules require owners to register with the ministry, document rental contracts electronically, and update camel information upon transfer, data changes, or relocation, while adhering to health and biosecurity standards and returning camels to their original owner’s records after contract completion.

The regulations also cover camel bartering, requiring electronic documentation of contracts, identification of camels and agreed compensation, verification of ownership and identification, record updates, and disclosure of any prior rights associated with the camels.

Procedures for violations and sector sustainability

The regulations emphasize compliance with laws and instructions, outlining procedures for handling violations, including suspension of records, referral of infractions, imposition of penalties, and suspension or recovery of government support when necessary to ensure compliance and maintain record integrity.

These measures are part of the ministry’s efforts to regulate the livestock sector, improve camel-related transactions, protect stakeholders’ rights, and promote healthy practices, contributing to sector development and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.