New regulations to control the transport of livestock in Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued a comprehensive regulatory guide aimed at controlling the transport of livestock and livestock products via all land, sea, and air transport. This mandatory legislation is a crucial step to prevent the spread of diseases and uphold animal welfare principles, while imposing strict penalties on violators to ensure full compliance.
The strategic context for regulating livestock transport
Historically, the livestock and agricultural sector in the region has faced significant challenges due to harsh climatic conditions, sometimes resulting in economic losses and negative impacts on herd health during haphazard transport. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes food security and environmental sustainability, the Ministry has worked to modernize regulations to align with international standards. This strategic shift reflects the Kingdom's commitment to developing a legislative infrastructure that protects national assets and limits the transmission of transboundary diseases, thereby enhancing the quality of meat and animal products reaching consumers.
Economic and environmental impact locally and internationally
This new regulation carries significant implications at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally, it will contribute to reducing animal mortality and injuries during transport, thus protecting livestock breeders' investments and supporting the national economy. Regionally, with this guide, the Kingdom sets a model for the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries in managing livestock under similar climatic conditions. Internationally, strict adherence to the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) will facilitate intra-regional trade and improve the Kingdom's ranking in global food security indicators.
Strict requirements for land travel and poultry
The ministry warned transporters against exceeding eight consecutive hours on land transport routes without providing animals with necessary rest periods and access to water and food. Regarding the food security and poultry sector, regulations have established a strict timeframe stipulating that the transport of live birds should not exceed 12 hours from the moment they are captured. Experts recommend transporting birds in the early morning or evening to avoid heat stress caused by the intense sun.
Animal welfare and prevention of harmful practices
In a move reflecting the evolution of humane standards, the guidelines explicitly prohibit the use of painful methods such as whipping, tail twisting, and blindfolding to subdue animals and force them to move. The use of electric shocks in sensitive areas of the animal, such as the eyes, nose, and anus, is also prohibited, and its use is restricted to the most limited circumstances and only for large ruminants. Article 60 explicitly prohibits the transport of sick animals or products suspected of being infected without prior written consent, and also prohibits transport to and from areas under epidemic quarantine.
Engineering standards for different means of transport
The legislation mandates that truck owners provide designated spaces for each animal to prevent overcrowding, ensuring effective mechanical or natural ventilation and proper flooring to prevent waste spillage. At sea, the Ministry stipulates that individual holding areas on ships must not exceed 40.5 square meters and requires the presence of a fully equipped veterinary clinic for immediate emergency response. The regulatory framework extends to air transport, emphasizing adherence to international load density limits approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and prohibiting the shipment of pregnant female animals.
Regulations for chilled and frozen products
The guidelines also addressed the regulation of livestock products, requiring refrigerated transport vehicles to maintain temperatures between -1 and -10 degrees Celsius for chilled operations. They emphasized the critical importance of achieving a temperature of -18 degrees Celsius for frozen products, coupled with the use of digital temperature monitoring devices for continuous temperature recording.
This comprehensive structure comes based on the agricultural system issued by royal decree and its executive regulations, to form a strong protective shield that protects national gains, and grants authorized employees broad field powers to stop violating vehicles, which ultimately ensures that safe and high-quality food reaches consumers’ tables.
