Penalties under the Saudi pesticides law: Imprisonment and fines of 10 million

In a move aimed at enhancing food security and protecting public health and the environment, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has introduced a substantial update to the penalties attached to the pesticides system in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (issued in 1427 AH), through the government “Istilaa” platform.

Regulatory context for promoting environmental safety

This move is part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to modernize its legislative framework in line with Vision 2030, particularly in the areas of environmental sustainability and food safety. The unified pesticide system for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is a cornerstone for ensuring the safe handling of agricultural chemicals. Its primary objective is to standardize regulations among member states to facilitate agricultural trade while preventing the entry of internationally banned substances into Gulf markets.

Details of the severe penalties: imprisonment and millions in fines

The draft update reveals a firm stance against violators, with amendments stipulating severe penalties including imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of up to 10 million riyals . These maximum penalties target serious violations, such as the manufacture or importation of internationally banned or counterfeit pesticides, given the direct threat they pose to human life, causing chronic diseases and damaging soil and groundwater.

In contrast, the amendments balanced deterrence and correction; if the violation is “not serious” and does not result in significant harm, it is sufficient to warn the violator and give him a grace period to correct his situation, which reflects the system’s flexibility in dealing with minor procedural errors.

Complementary roles between government agencies

The system clearly defines the scope of jurisdiction to ensure that powers do not overlap:

• The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture: is responsible for reviewing violations of agricultural pesticides, and forming tripartite committees that include legal and Sharia specialists to decide on violations.
• The General Authority for Food and Drug: is responsible for monitoring and penalties related to public health pesticides (such as household pesticides and pest control for disease-carrying insects).
• The Public Prosecution: It undertakes the investigation and prosecution of major crimes that warrant imprisonment, and refers them to the competent courts.

Defamation and doubling the penalty

To ensure effective public deterrence, the regulations authorize the competent court to include in its judgment a provision mandating the publication of a summary of the ruling (public shaming) in a local newspaper or other suitable medium at the expense of the violator, after the judgment becomes final. The updates also stipulate doubling the fine if the same violation is repeated within three years, with the possibility of temporarily or permanently closing the offending establishment, and obligating the violator to re-export or destroy the counterfeit goods at their own expense.

Expected impact locally and regionally

This stricter enforcement is expected to rid the agricultural market of counterfeit pesticides, which inflict heavy losses on the economy and damage the reputation of Saudi agricultural products in foreign markets. It will also boost consumer confidence in local products and protect natural resources from long-term chemical pollution, ultimately benefiting public health and quality of life.