Article 3 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
المادة 3 من نظام الزراعة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تتولى الوزارة إصدار السجل الزراعي والتراخيص -بحسب الأحوال- المتعلقة بما يأتي:
أ- الأنشطة الزراعية.
ب- الخدمات الزراعية.
ج- المنشآت الزراعية والبيطرية.
د- مراكز الحجر والخدمات المرتبطة بها.
2- تتولى الوزارة إصدار السجل الزراعي ومنح الموافقات والشهادات -بحسب الأحوال- المتعلقة بما يأتي:
أ- استيراد وتصدير أي من الثروات الحيوانية الحية أو الثروات المائية الحية أو الثروات النباتية أو مدخلات الإنتاج.
ب- سلامة الممارسات الزراعية الجيدة وصحة منتجات القطاع الزراعي.
ج- الأندية والمعارض والمزادات والمسابقات والمؤتمرات والجمعيات الزراعية، بعد التنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة، ووفقًا للإجراءات النظامية.
3- لا تجوز ممارسة أي مما ذكر في الفقرتين (1) و(2) من هذه المادة دون الحصول على سجل زراعي أو ترخيص أو موافقة أو شهادة بحسب الأحوال.
4- تحدد اللائحة الضوابط والشروط للسجلات، والضوابط والشروط والمقابل المالي للتراخيص، والموافقات والشهادات، المشار إليها في هذه المادة، وما يستثنى من ذلك.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article is the basis of the agricultural licensing system. It divides what needs permission into two groups:
First: the agricultural registry and licenses, as the case may be, for:
- Agricultural activities.
- Agricultural services.
- Agricultural and veterinary facilities.
- Quarantine centers and their related services.
Second: the agricultural registry, approvals and certificates, as the case may be, for:
- Importing and exporting live animal, live aquatic or plant resources, or production inputs.
- The safety of good agricultural practices and the health of agricultural sector products.
- Agricultural clubs, exhibitions, auctions, competitions, conferences and societies, after coordinating with the relevant authorities and in accordance with the legal procedures.
The prohibition: None of the above may be practiced without obtaining an agricultural registry, license, approval or certificate, as the case may be.
The details: The Implementing Regulations set the controls and conditions of the registries, the controls and conditions of licenses, approvals and certificates and their fees, and what is exempted from that.
In practical terms, anyone who wants to open a farm, a nursery or a veterinary clinic, import livestock or fertilizers, or hold a camel auction needs the appropriate permission from the Ministry. The Law does not state here the type of permission for each activity or the fees; that is in the Implementing Regulations, which may also exempt some cases.
If you have a specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer specializing in agricultural and environmental laws.
Practical example
A trader in Al-Qassim wants to import a shipment of live sheep and hold an auction to sell them. He must obtain from the Ministry the agricultural registry and the approval required for import, and what is required to hold the auction after coordinating with the relevant authorities, and he may not do so without them.
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 3 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
Do I need a license to open a farm or nursery?
Agricultural facilities are among the things for which the Ministry issues the agricultural registry and licenses, as the case may be, and they may not be practiced without that, subject to what the Implementing Regulations exempt.
Does importing livestock require approval?
Yes. Importing and exporting live animal resources is among the things for which the Ministry grants the agricultural registry and approvals, as the case may be.
How much is the agricultural license fee?
The Law does not set the amounts, and refers the setting of fees for licenses, approvals and certificates to the Implementing Regulations.
More articles on Agricultural Register and Agricultural Licenses
- 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.
- Article 11
A service provider may not assign any of its rights arising from the license, or dispose of the license, without the Ministry's approval.
يحظر على مقدم الخدمة التنازل عن أي من الحقوق الممنوحة له بناءً على الترخيص، أو التصرف بالترخيص؛ دون الحصول على موافقة الوزارة.
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.