Article 4 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
المادة 4 من نظام الزراعة
The article prohibits trading in or offering agricultural sector products for sale without a product card from the Ministry or a service provider, and leaves the covered products to the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يحظر تداول أي من منتجات القطاع الزراعي في الأسواق أو عرضه للبيع دون الحصول على بطاقة منتج صادرة من الوزارة (أو مقدم الخدمة).
2- تشترك الوزارة مع الهيئة في إعداد الشروط والمعايير اللازمة لمنتجات القطاع الزراعي.
3- تتولى الوزارة التنسيق مع الجهات الرقابية المعنية لمنع تداول أو عرض أي من منتجات القطاع الزراعي المخالفة للفقرة (1) من هذه المادة.
4- تحدد اللائحة منتجات القطاع الزراعي التي يلزم وضع بطاقة منتج عليها، والشروط والمعايير لذلك.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article regulates the product card, which under Article 1 is an identification card containing data about the source of the agricultural product, the agricultural registry or license number and the like.
- The prohibition: Trading in any agricultural sector product in the markets, or offering it for sale, without a product card issued by the Ministry or a service provider is prohibited.
- The standards: The Ministry and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority jointly prepare the conditions and standards required for agricultural sector products.
- Oversight: The Ministry coordinates with the relevant oversight authorities to prevent the trading in or offering of products that violate paragraph 1.
- Scope: The Implementing Regulations specify the products that must carry a card, and the conditions and standards for that.
Note that paragraph 1 is worded generally, but paragraph 4 makes the Implementing Regulations the place that specifies which products must carry a card. To know whether a particular product needs a card, refer to the Implementing Regulations.
The practical purpose of the card is to let consumers and oversight authorities know the source of the product and the licensed party that produced it, which links to the agricultural registry and licenses regulated by Article 3. It is followed by Article 5, which regulates supervision and inspection of facilities.
If you have a specific situation, it is best to consult a lawyer specializing in agricultural and environmental laws.
Practical example
A farmer in Al-Ahsa wants to offer his dates in the wholesale market. If dates are among the products the Implementing Regulations require to carry a card, they may not be offered for sale except with a product card issued by the Ministry or a service provider showing their source and his agricultural registry number.
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 4 of the Saudi Agriculture Law
Can agricultural products be sold without a product card?
Trading in or offering agricultural sector products for sale without a product card is prohibited, and the Implementing Regulations specify the products that must carry a card.
Who issues the agricultural product card?
The Ministry or a service provider issues it.
What is the Food and Drug Authority's role for agricultural products?
It works with the Ministry in preparing the conditions and standards required for agricultural sector products.
More articles on Agricultural Product Card and Inspection
- Article 5
The article gives the Ministry or a service provider supervision, oversight and inspection of agricultural and veterinary facilities and obtaining documents and samples, with coordination where needed.
1- تتولى الوزارة أو مقدم الخدمة -بحسب الأحوال- مهمة الإشراف والرقابة والتفتيش على المنشآت الزراعية والبيطرية، والحصول على الوثائق والعينات للتأكد من تطبيق أحكام
- Article 24
The text regulates Ministry inspectors in catching and investigating violations, the duty to give them access, their powers of stopping, inspection, sampling, custody and closure, and assigning some tasks to companies.
1- يتولى مفتشون -يصدر بتحديدهم قرار من الوزير- مجتمعين أو منفردين ضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام واللائحة، والتحقيق فيها، وإثباتها، وتحدد اللائحة آليات عملهم؛ وذلك دو
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.