Article 28 of the Saudi Environment Law
المادة 28 من نظام البيئة · الفصل الخامس: الحياة الفطرية
The Article prohibits bringing any biological control agent into the Kingdom, or using one, without a license, in accordance with the regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يُحظر إدخال أي من وسائل المكافحة الحيوية إلى المملكة، أو استخدام أي منها؛ دون الحصول على ترخيص، وذلك وفقاً لما تُبيّنه اللوائح.
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 28 explained in plain English
This Article regulates biological control agents, which under Article 1 means using biological systems, living organisms or their derivatives to limit, manage and control pests and plant diseases.
The rule: Without obtaining a license, it is prohibited to:
- Bring any biological control agent into the Kingdom.
- Use any of them.
So the prohibition is not limited to the importer; it also covers the user, such as a farmer or a pest control company that uses these agents.
The Article does not state which types of agents need a license, nor the procedures or conditions; it refers these to what the regulations set out.
This Article falls within the wildlife provisions, after Article 27 on hunting, and is followed by Article 29 on establishing protected areas. If you are a farm owner or pest control company considering using these agents, you may wish to consult a lawyer who specializes in environmental law.
Practical example
Khaled runs a date palm farm in Qassim and wants to import a type of beneficial insect from abroad to control a pest that affects the palms. This is a biological control agent, so under Article 28 he needs a license to bring it into the Kingdom and to use it, in accordance with the regulations.
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 28 of the Saudi Environment Law
What are biological control agents?
Under Article 1, they are the use of biological systems, living organisms or their derivatives to limit, manage and control pests and plant diseases.
Does using biological control inside the Kingdom require a license?
Yes. The Article prohibits using any biological control agent without a license, not just bringing it in.
Where can I find the conditions for a biological control license?
The Article refers to what the Implementing Regulations set out.
More articles on Hunting and Wildlife
- Article 23
The article tasks the competent authority with specifying the endangered wild organism species whose killing, hunting, or trade in them, their derivatives or products is prohibited.
تُحدد الجهة المختصة أنواع الكائنات الفطرية المهددة بالانقراض التي يُحظر قتلها أو صيدها، أو الاتجار بها أو مشتقاتها أو منتجاتها.
- Article 24
The article prohibits, without a license, trading in, transporting, selling and possessing wild organism species the competent authority specifies, and keeping live animals of them in controlled places or using them in shows.
1- يُحظر -دون الحصول على ترخيص فيما يتعلق بأنواع الكائنات الفطرية التي تحددها الجهة المختصة- القيام بأي مما يأتي: أ- الاتجار بأي منها أو منتجاتها أو مشتقاتها، س
- Article 25
The Article prohibits importing, exporting or re-exporting, for non-commercial purposes, species of wildlife or their products or derivatives that the competent authority specifies, without the competent authority's approval.
مع مراعاة ما ورد في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الرابعة والعشرين) من النظام، يُحظر استيراد أو تصدير أو إعادة تصدير -للأغراض غير التجارية- أي من أنواع الكائنات الفطرية
- Article 26
The Article prohibits killing or harming live wild animals, and as an exception allows killing them in specific cases set out in the regulations.
يُحظر قتل الكائنات الفطرية الحيوانية الحية أو إيذاؤها. واستثناء من ذلك، يجوز في حالات محددة قتل تلك الكائنات، وذلك وفقاً لما تُبيّنه اللوائح.
- Article 27
The Article prohibits hunting live wild animals, and allows hunting specific species under a license, provided the specified species, places and times are respected and no lures or mass-capture methods are used.
يُحظر صيد الكائنات الفطرية الحيوانية الحية. واستثناء من ذلك، يجوز صيد أنواع محددة منها بعد الحصول على ترخيص، مع مراعاة الآتي: 1- أن يُقصر الصيد على الأنواع التي
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.