The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has approved Camel Trade Regulations, covering the sale, purchase, leasing, and bartering of camels across the Kingdom. The regulations aim to bring greater structure to the sector, protect the rights of camel owners and market participants, promote the growth of the livestock industry, and strengthen animal welfare for camels.
The regulations are designed to establish proper standards and ensure compliance with the laws and regulations governing the sale and trading of camels in the Kingdom. They seek to protect owners' rights, prevent the exploitation of camels and ensure their humane treatment. The regulations are also part of the ministry's efforts to enhance the camel sector and strengthen its governance by establishing an integrated regulatory framework for camel-related transactions, enhancing the documentation of ownership and commercial transactions, and raising compliance with animal health and biosecurity requirements. These measures are intended to support the sector's sustainable growth and development in accordance with the laws and regulations in the Kingdom.
The regulations are based on the Agriculture Law and its Implementing Regulations, the GCC Animal Welfare Law and its Implementing Regulations, as well as procedural guidelines issued by the ministry concerning the registration and management of camels through electronic platforms. They apply to individuals and entities involved in the sale, purchase, and trading of camels, taking into account the provisions of the civil transactions law and other relevant legislation.
The camel trading regulations set requirements for sales contracts, party obligations—including full disclosures, payments, ownership transfers, and medical care—and temporary auctions, while mandating complete documentation of transactions. They strictly prohibit the transportation, sale, or display of sick camels, with violators subject to fines under the Agriculture Law, and enforce animal welfare standards across markets and auctions, with formal channels for reporting animal abuse and other violations. The regulations also apply alongside other relevant laws and regulations.
The regulations build on the ministry's efforts to organize and develop the livestock sector, improve the efficiency of camel-related transactions, enhance the reliability of ownership and other data, protect the rights of market participants, and promote sound health practices and animal welfare. They are intended to contribute to the development and sustainability of the camel sector and support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.