Conditions and procedures for importing livestock into Saudi Arabia through the Waqqa Center
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing food security and protecting public health, the National Center for Plant Pest and Animal Disease Prevention and Control (Weqaa) announced the adoption of 119 new health procedures for health certificates. This step aims to regulate the import of livestock and poultry from more than 132 countries worldwide. This decision reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to ensuring the sustainability of food supplies and protecting biosecurity, aligning with modern trends to guarantee the stability of local markets and meet growing consumer needs.
Strategic background for enhancing food security in the Kingdom
Historically, Saudi Arabia has sought to diversify its food sources and reduce reliance on limited resources in response to population growth and economic expansion. Within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, the urgent need to institutionalize the agriculture and livestock sector emerged, leading to the establishment of the “Wiqa’a” Center to serve as a robust shield against biological risks. Regulating the entry of live animals and agricultural products is no longer a mere routine procedure but has become a cornerstone of the state’s policies to ensure that epidemics do not spread and devastate local livestock, which represents a significant portion of the non-oil GDP.
Regulations and standards for importing livestock and poultry
The center revealed the implementation of a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation system, which resulted in authorizing the import of hatching eggs and chicks from 132 countries, in addition to the import of live livestock from 40 countries, subject to strict health regulations and standards. The center explained that the approved and safe import operations also included bringing in birds from 90 countries, securing the import of falcons from 95 countries, and opening import channels for horses from 71 countries to bolster local resources and support related sporting and heritage activities.
The economic and health dimensions of the new decisions
These measures have a significant impact on multiple levels. Domestically, they ensure the stability of meat and poultry prices in Saudi markets by diversifying supply chains and preventing any potential shortages. Regionally, the Kingdom reinforces its leadership in implementing the highest biosecurity standards, making it a model for the Middle East in managing pandemic risks. Internationally, these measures strengthen trade relations with exporting countries that adhere to Saudi standards, creating a reliable and sustainable trading environment.
Systematic assessments to ensure epidemiological safety
The Weqaa Center explained that import decisions are based on a comprehensive set of technical indicators, foremost among them a study of the efficiency of surveillance and reporting systems in exporting countries, an assessment of the epidemiological situation, and the level of transparency in reporting transboundary diseases. The center noted that exporting countries are subject to rigorous evaluations that include measuring the diagnostic capabilities of laboratories, the efficiency of veterinary services, and the extent of full compliance with the standards adopted by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The center concluded its statement by emphasizing that these systematic assessments primarily aim to reduce the risk of transmission of animal diseases with health and economic impacts, thereby supporting livestock protection and maintaining public health stability. It also noted that ongoing monitoring processes enhance the stability of food supply chains by continuously updating requirements in accordance with global epidemiological developments to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.
