Royal Decree No. (M/64) dated 10/8/1442 AH
By the grace of Almighty God
Based onArticle (Seventy) of the Basic Law of Governance, issued by Royal Order No. (A/90) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
And based onArticle (Twenty) of the Law of the Council of Ministers, issued by Royal Order No. (A/13) dated 3/3/1414 AH.
And based onArticle (Eighteen) of the Law of the Shura Council, issued by Royal Order No. (A/91) dated 27/8/1412 AH.
After reviewing the Shura Council decisions No. (219/40) dated 17/9/1441 AH, and No. (362/61) dated 25/2/1442 AH.
After reviewing the Council of Ministers decision No. (431) dated 3/8/1442 AH.
We, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Have decreed the following:
First:Approval of the Agriculture Law, in the attached form.
Second:The Agriculture Law - referred to in item (First) of this decree - shall repeal, upon its enforcement, the following:
1- The Law of Fishing, Investment and Preservation of Live Aquatic Resources within Territorial Waters of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/9) dated 27/3/1408 AH.
2- The Livestock Law, issued by Royal Decree No.(continuation)(M/13) dated 10/3/1424 AH.
3-The Beekeeping Law, issued by Royal Decree No.(M/15) dated 13/3/1431 AH.
4-The Law of Organic Farming, issued by Royal Decree No.(M/55) dated 16/9/1435 AH.
5-Rules regulating the trade of agricultural machinery, issued by Council of Ministers decision No. (96)dated 21/5/1405 AH.
6- Any other conflicting provisions.
Third:All public and private entities practicing any agricultural sector activities shall rectify their status in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Law - referred to in item (First) of this decree - and its regulations, within a period not exceeding two (2) years from its effective date. The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture may grant an additional grace period or periods - not exceeding in total three (3) years from the end of the aforementioned two-year period - as deemed in the public interest.
Fourth:His Highness the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministers, and the heads of the concerned independent bodies - each within their jurisdiction - shall implement this decree.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Council of Ministers Decision No. (431) dated 3/8/1442 AH.
The Council of Ministers
After reviewing the correspondence received from the Royal Court No. (11051) dated 27/2/1442 AH, including the telegram of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture No. (2384) dated 11/3/1440 AH, regarding the draft Agriculture Law.
After reviewing the referred draft law.
After reviewing the Law of Fishing, Investment and Preservation of Live Aquatic Resources within Territorial Waters of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/9) dated 27/3/1408 AH.
After reviewing the Livestock Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/13) dated 10/3/1424 AH.
After reviewing the Beekeeping Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/15) dated 13/3/1431 AH.
After reviewing the Law of Organic Farming, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/55) dated 16/9/1435 AH.
After reviewing the Environmental Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/165) dated 19/11/1441 AH.
After reviewing the rules regulating the trade of agricultural machinery, issued by Council of Ministers decision No. (96) dated 21/5/1405 AH.
After reviewing the minutes No. (328) dated 14/3/1441 AH, and memoranda: No. (382) dated 12/5/1441 AH, No. (1210) dated 28/12/1441 AH, No. (722) dated 8/5/1442 AH, and No. (1225) dated 23/7/1442 AH, prepared by the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers.
After reviewing the recommendation prepared by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs No. (1 - 22/42/D) dated 1/6/1442 AH.
After considering the Shura Council decisions No. (219/40) dated 17/9/1441 AH, and No. (362/61) dated 25/2/1442 AH.
After reviewing the recommendation of the General Committee of the Council of Ministers No. (5118) dated 29/7/1442 AH.
It is decided as follows:
First: Approval of the Agriculture Law, in the attached form.
Second: The Agriculture Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - shall repeal, upon its enforcement, the following:
1- The Law of Fishing, Investment and Preservation of Live Aquatic Resources within Territorial Waters of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/9) dated 27/3/1408 AH.
2- The Livestock Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/13) dated 10/3/1424 AH.
3- The Beekeeping Law, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/15) dated 13/3/1431 AH.
4- The Law of Organic Farming, issued by Royal Decree No. (M/55) dated 16/9/1435 AH.
5- Rules regulating the trade of agricultural machinery, issued by Council of Ministers decision No. (96) dated 21/5/1405 AH.
6- Any other conflicting provisions.
Third:All public and private entities practicing any agricultural sector activities shall rectify their status in accordance with the provisions of the Agriculture Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - and its regulations, within a period not exceeding two (2) years from its effective date. The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture may grant an additional grace period or periods - not exceeding in total three (3) years from the end of the aforementioned two-year period - as deemed in the public interest.
A draft Royal Decree has been prepared accordingly, its text attached hereto.
Fourth:The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture shall take the necessary arrangements to ensure the application of the provisions related to the determination of fishing areas, times, types, methods, and tools - as stipulated in the Environmental Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/165) dated 19/11/1441 AH - in aspects related to the agricultural sector.
Fifth: Without prejudice to the competencies of other government agencies established by law, to achieve the objectives of the Agriculture Law - referred to in item (First) of this decision - the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture shall undertake the following:
1- Developing the agricultural sector, achieving food security and environmental balance, preserving natural resources, and working to protect and sustain them.
2- Supervising and monitoring the agricultural sector, protecting it, combating agricultural diseases and epidemics, and setting plans and measures necessary to limit their spread and outbreak.
3- Contributing to securing an attractive environment for investment in agricultural activities and services, investing lands and facilities under its supervision, and developing them.
4- Setting the necessary conditions for the use of modern technologies in the agricultural sector and production inputs.
5- Expanding the participation of the private sector in the agricultural sector.
6- Determining the types and quantities of crops planted in each region according to their relative advantages.
7- Conducting research, studies, and laboratory tests related to agricultural activities, and the Ministry may collect fees for these services.
8- Developing guidance plans and programs, providing advisory, preventive, therapeutic, marketing, and other services related to agricultural activities, as determined by regulations.
9- Encouraging the establishment of associations related to the agricultural sector and providing technical supervision over them in coordination with relevant authorities, according to legal procedures.
10- Setting conditions for agricultural machinery and their uses.
11- Concluding agreements, memoranda of understanding, and contracts with specialized scientific and commercial institutions in the field of agricultural sector development, according to legal procedures.
12- Conducting applied and statistical research, and other material and advisory means leading to the development of the agricultural sector's utilization.
13- Preparing plans - in coordination with competent authorities - to protect small farmers, livestock breeders, and traditional farms, preserve and develop rural areas, support agricultural activities therein, localize and develop the agricultural profession, and support agricultural marketing activities, in accordance with the objectives of national policies and strategies related to the agricultural sector.
Prime Minister
Agriculture Law
Article 1
In this Law, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Agriculture Law.
Regulations: Implementing Regulations of this Law.
Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
Minister: Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
SFDA: Saudi Food and Drug Authority Agricultural Sector: The sector concerned with plant, animal, and living aquatic resources.
Wildlife Organisms: Any living or dead organism that is scientifically classified as an animal or plant, with the exception of humans and domesticated and tame organisms.
Plant Resources: All types of plants, fruits, crops, agricultural products, and the like, excluding those classified as wildlife organisms.
Animal Resources: All types of domesticated and tame animals, such as camels, horses, cows, sheep, birds, bees, and the like, excluding animals classified as wildlife organisms.
Living Aquatic Resources: All types of animals and plants that live in water, excluding plants and animals classified as wildlife organisms.
Agricultural Sector Products: Raw products of plant resources, excluding feed ready for consumption, as well as raw products of animal resources and living aquatic resources, including wildlife organisms.
Production Inputs: Fertilizers, soil conditioners, pesticides, and the like. Agricultural Services: Services related to the agricultural sector, including extension services; marketing; organizing exhibitions, competitions, and events; certifying the safety of agricultural products and practices; quarantine; prevention and treatment; care and sheltering; transportation; and any other related services specified in the Regulations.
Agricultural Practitioner: A natural or legal person who engages in any agricultural activity or service.
Agricultural Registration: An official document issued by the Ministry that contains data and information related to the agricultural practitioner, the activity or service he engages in, and the location and area of said activity as well as any other relevant data and information.
License: A written authorization issued by the Ministry for engaging in an agricultural activity or for providing an agricultural service or certification.
Agricultural Activity: Activities related to the agricultural sector, including farming, breeding, production, or fishing. Agricultural Facility: Any facility related to the agricultural sector, including farms, nurseries, apiaries, product safety certification agencies, shops, warehouses, production projects, fishing ports, public markets, slaughterhouses, quarries, and any other facility specified in the Regulations.
Veterinary Facility: Any veterinary-related facility, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories, artificial insemination centers, animal supplies warehouses, and any other facility specified in the Regulations.
Veterinary Preparations: Vaccines; serums; medicines; viruses; or live, weakened, or killed microbes that are used in the treatment and protection of animals.
Clubs: Entities concerned with any of the agricultural sector resources, such as animal and bird clubs, as well as any other entity specified in the Regulations.
Public Markets: Sites where agricultural practitioners are permitted to wholesale agricultural sector products by auction or direct sale; this shall not include retail sale.
Product Label: An identification label that includes data and information relating to the source of the agricultural product and number of the agricultural registration or license, and the like.
Service Provider: Companies, institutions, societies, or individuals licensed by the Ministry to provide an agricultural service in accordance with this Law and its Regulations.
Agricultural Certification: An activity carried out by the Ministry or by an agricultural certification agency to certify that the agricultural sector products or practices conform to the requirements and standards set by the Ministry.
Agricultural Certification Agency: An agency licensed by the Ministry that specializes in agricultural certification. Certificate: A document issued by the Ministry, service provider, or agricultural certification agency indicating the extent to which good agricultural practices, as well as agricultural activities, services, and products conform to the requirements and standards set by the Ministry.
Good Agricultural Practices: Product quality standards which include presowing processes up to off-farm delivery of products.
Biosecurity: A set of preventive measures to be taken in agricultural facilities to limit the transmission of pathogens to or from such facilities.
Organic Farming: An agricultural technique that uses natural materials for food production.
Organic Farming Activity: The process of producing, manufacturing, marketing, importing, or exporting organic inputs or products.
Organic Product: A fresh or processed organic plant or animal product.
Article 2
This Law aims to regulate, manage, protect, develop, and sustain the agricultural sector; contribute to food security and rural and social development; and regulate the agricultural sector activities, including production, importation, and exportation.
Article 3
1. The Ministry shall issue the agricultural registration and licenses, as the case may be, for the following:
a) Agricultural activities.
b) Agricultural services.
c) Agricultural and veterinary facilities.
d) Quarantine centers and related services.
2. The Ministry shall issue the agricultural registration and grant approvals and certificates, as the case may be, for the following:
a) Importation and exportation of animal resources, living aquatic resources, plant resources, or production inputs.
b) Soundness of good agricultural practices and safety of agricultural sector products.
c) Agricultural clubs and societies, as well as exhibitions, auctions, competitions, and conferences upon coordination with the relevant agencies and in accordance with the statutory procedures.
3. The activities stated in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article may not be practiced without obtaining an agricultural registration, license, approval, or certificate, as the case may be.
4. The Regulations shall specify the rules and requirements for the issuance of registrations as well as the rules, requirements, and fees for the issuance of the licenses, approvals, and certificates referred to in this Article, as well as waivers thereto.
Article 4
1. An agricultural sector product may not be circulated in the market or offered for sale without obtaining a product label issued by the Ministry or service provider. 2. The Ministry and the SFDA shall set the necessary requirements and standards for agricultural sector products.
3. The Ministry shall coordinate with relevant agencies to prevent the circulation or sale of any agricultural sector product in violation of paragraph (1) of this Article.
4. The Regulations shall specify the agricultural sector products on which a product label shall be placed, and shall determine the requirements and standards therefor.
Article 5
1. The Ministry or service provider, as the case may be, shall oversee, monitor, and inspect agricultural and veterinary facilities, and shall verify their compliance with this Law and its Regulations by obtaining documents and collecting samples therefrom.
2. The Ministry may coordinate with the competent agencies to take the measures necessary for carrying out the tasks stipulated in paragraph (1) of this Article.
Article 6
The Ministry shall coordinate with the SFDA to:
1. issue the necessary approvals prior to the registration of veterinary preparations relating to animal and living aquatic resources;
2. issue the necessary approvals for the importation and exportation of agricultural sector pesticides;
3. register plant resources pesticides;
4. determine the requirements, rules, and standards for the use of veterinary preparations and pesticides relating to the agricultural sector;
5. regulate, monitor, and inspect the circulation of veterinary preparations in agricultural and veterinary facilities; and
6. regulate, monitor, and inspect the circulation of agricultural pesticides in agricultural facilities and sale outlets of the agricultural sector.
Article 7
The Ministry shall, in coordination with the relevant agencies, determine the methods of treatment and safe disposal of:
1. agricultural waste;
2. veterinary medical waste; and
3. agricultural sector resources, products, or production inputs that are infected or suspected of being infected with diseases, epidemics, or pests.
The Ministry or service provider, as the case may be, may carry out the treatment and safe disposal of the wastes referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article for a fee, as specified in the Regulations.
The Ministry shall, in the event of disposing of any of the agricultural sector resources, products, or production inputs referred to in paragraph (3) of this Article, compensate the owner in accordance with the assessment and disbursement procedures specified in the Regulations.
Article 8
The Minister shall, in the event of a crisis, emergency, disaster, or imminent danger that could harm the agricultural sector, humans, or public health, take the necessary procedures and measures to prevent the exacerbation thereof, in coordination with the relevant agencies.
Article 9
The Ministry shall, in coordination with other entities, develop plans to promote the private sector’s participation in agricultural activities and services, and shall provide the necessary information and data, in accordance with the objectives of the national policies and strategies related to the agricultural sector and as specified in the Regulations.