Article 11 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
المادة 11 من نظام الزراعة
A service provider may not assign any of its rights arising from the license, or dispose of the license, without the Ministry's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحظر على مقدم الخدمة التنازل عن أي من الحقوق الممنوحة له بناءً على الترخيص، أو التصرف بالترخيص؛ دون الحصول على موافقة الوزارة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 11 explained in plain English
This article places a restriction on the service provider, which under Article 1 includes companies, establishments and others; the article addresses it as a holder of a license.
The prohibition covers two matters:
- Assigning any of the rights granted to it on the basis of the license.
- Disposing of the license itself.
The prohibition is not absolute, but is lifted by obtaining the Ministry's approval. Assignment or disposal is therefore permitted if the Ministry approves.
The apparent reason is that a license is granted to a particular service provider after verifying that it meets the conditions, so it should not pass to someone else without the Ministry verifying that party's eligibility. In practice this means that someone who buys a facility or an activity licensed to provide an agricultural service does not acquire the license automatically, but must obtain the Ministry's approval.
The word "disposal" is broad, but the article does not list its forms or set out the procedures for requesting approval, so details that do not appear should not be assumed. This article ties to Article 10, which regulates the provision of agricultural services by the Ministry or service providers in accordance with the Implementing Regulations.
If you have a specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer specializing in agricultural and environmental laws.
Practical example
A company in Riyadh licensed to provide livestock transport services wants to sell its business to another company. It may not assign the rights of the license or dispose of it to the buying company except after obtaining the Ministry's approval.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 11 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
Can the license of an agricultural service provider be sold?
The license may not be disposed of, and the rights granted on the basis of it may not be assigned, except after obtaining the Ministry's approval.
Does an agricultural license transfer automatically when a business is sold?
No. The article requires the Ministry's approval for any assignment or disposal of the license.
More articles on Agricultural Register and Agricultural Licenses
- Article 3
The article makes the Ministry the authority that issues the agricultural registry, licenses, approvals and certificates for agricultural activities, facilities, import and export, and prohibits practice without them.
1- تتولى الوزارة إصدار السجل الزراعي والتراخيص -بحسب الأحوال- المتعلقة بما يأتي: أ- الأنشطة الزراعية. ب- الخدمات الزراعية. ج- المنشآت الزراعية والبيطرية. د- مرا
- Article 9
The Ministry prepares plans to encourage and attract the private sector to take part in agricultural activities and services, and provides the necessary information, in line with national policies and the Implementing Regulations.
تعد الوزارة -بالتنسيق مع من تراه- خططًا لتشجيع القطاع الخاص وجذبه للمشاركة في الأنشطة والخدمات الزراعية وتوفر المعلومات والبيانات اللازمة، وذلك وفقًا لأهداف الس
- Article 10
Agricultural services are provided by the Ministry or by service providers, in accordance with the provisions, controls and conditions set out in the Implementing Regulations.
تقدم الخدمات الزراعية بوساطة الوزارة أو مقدمي الخدمة وفق الأحكام والضوابط والشروط التي تبينها اللائحة.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.

