New regulations for private slaughterhouses in Saudi Arabia: 12-month grace period for compliance
In a move aimed at transforming the municipal services and public health sector, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adopted a new set of regulations governing the operation of private slaughterhouses. This step is part of a comprehensive strategy to enhance operational efficiency, improve the urban landscape, and ensure the highest food safety standards for citizens and residents.
Development context and the goals of Vision 2030
These updates are not merely routine procedures; they are also aligned with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program. For years, the Ministry has been striving to eliminate haphazard livestock slaughtering practices, which posed both environmental and health challenges. The new regulations aim to transform this sector into an attractive and well-regulated investment environment, ensuring that all slaughtering operations are subject to rigorous veterinary oversight. This will reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases and protect consumers from unfit meat.
Details of the new requirements and licenses
The ministry clarified that the updated requirements, approved by Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid Al-Hogail, supersede all previous regulations and will take effect immediately upon publication. To ensure business continuity without harming existing investors, the ministry granted existing establishments a 12-month grace period to adjust their operations to the new standards.
The most important conditions for issuing licenses include the following:
- Obtaining Civil Defense approval to ensure the safety of the facility.
- Submit a valid commercial registration.
- Approval of the National Center for Environmental Compliance.
- Compliance with the Saudi Building Code in all construction, electrical and mechanical works.
Location and infrastructure
The regulations allow for flexibility in site selection, permitting slaughterhouses to be located within or outside urban areas, as well as within public markets, provided they do not disrupt traffic flow or harm the surrounding environment. The regulations also mandate the provision of sufficient parking spaces at a rate of four spaces per 100 square meters of building area to ensure smooth traffic flow around the slaughterhouse.
Technology and comprehensiveness in service
In keeping with the digital transformation, the Ministry has obligated slaughterhouses to provide electronic payment methods and not refuse them, in addition to placing a quick response code (QR Code) that allows beneficiaries and regulatory bodies to view licensing data and regulatory documents, thus enhancing the principle of transparency.
In a humanitarian and civilized gesture, the requirements stressed the need to prepare the place for people with disabilities by providing safe and slip-resistant walkways and ramps, ensuring their easy and convenient access to services.
Organizing seasons and additional activities
To address the increased demand during religious seasons, the regulations included a provision allowing slaughterhouses to obtain temporary permits for slaughtering exclusively during the Hajj season, subject to prior coordination. They also permitted the addition of related commercial activities within the slaughterhouse, provided these activities do not exceed 50% of the total area, thus opening up opportunities to increase revenue for investors without disrupting the core business.
It is worth noting that these strict measures to prevent random slaughter and implement security monitoring via surveillance cameras will directly contribute to eliminating the phenomenon of slaughter in undesignated places, thus enhancing the cleanliness of cities and protecting public health.
