Moving livestock markets outside cities and documenting camel transactions in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has unveiled a comprehensive regulatory plan aimed at restructuring the livestock sector by introducing fundamental amendments to Article 98 of the Implementing Regulations of the Agriculture Law. This step comes as part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance biosecurity standards and regulate markets in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Strict spatial and health requirements

Under the new amendments, the Ministry has been granted full and exclusive authority to designate sites for seasonal and permanent public markets. The regulations explicitly prohibit the trading or sale of livestock in unauthorized locations, stipulating that all future livestock markets must be established outside the urban boundaries of cities, governorates, and villages. This measure aims to separate livestock activities from residential areas, thereby contributing to an improved urban landscape and reducing environmental pollution and unpleasant odors within residential neighborhoods.

Strengthening biosecurity and veterinary control

The regulations did not merely focus on spatial organization, but also placed significant emphasis on health. The Ministry linked the granting of market licenses to the availability of a comprehensive infrastructure, most notably the mandatory presence of a permanent veterinary clinic within each market. These clinics are responsible for directly monitoring the health of the animals to ensure they are free from epidemic and infectious diseases. The draft also stipulated mandatory vaccination as a fundamental requirement for completing sales transactions, prohibiting the trading of any livestock that has not completed vaccination programs approved by licensed authorities.

Regulating the camel sector and financial transparency

In a related context, the amendments paid particular attention to the camel sector, which represents a significant economic and cultural pillar in the Kingdom. The regulations introduced a system for documenting transactions, requiring owners to register complete details of any sale, lease, or exchange within a maximum period of 30 days. The required data includes precise details such as the camel's type, breed, and age, in addition to mandatory disclosure of the transaction's financial price. This step aims to enhance transparency in the camel market and combat irregular practices such as commercial concealment or price manipulation, thereby increasing the sector's credibility and attracting legitimate investments.

Economic and social dimensions of the decision

These amendments are of paramount importance, extending beyond mere regulation; they serve to protect public health by preventing the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, regulating camel markets and relocating them outside of cities supports quality of life programs, while documenting camel transactions institutionalizes this traditional sector, facilitating economic statistics and bolstering sustainable food security plans in the Kingdom.