MEWA: New regs for livestock sales to come into force on June 26

Logo of Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) is slated to enforce its decision to introduce a new set of regulations in its livestock markets as of June 26, mandating sale by weight rather than size.

The new rules are aimed at clamping down on the longstanding profiteering of livestock sales across public markets nationwide, ensuring fair pricing for both producers and consumers, according to a ministerial statement picked up by Argaam.

The decision supports the Kingdom’s drive towards environmental and economic sustainability as well as aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The ministry set out guidelines to standardize the weighing and selling of slaughter-ready animals, while preserving animal wealth and eliminating market monopoly.

The framework seeks to maximize benefits, promote fairness and transparency, and enhance service quality and sustainability in public markets.

The rules cover livestock inside and outside pens. For pen sales, livestock cannot be sold without a pre-recorded weight. Weights must be measured using approved scales that meet official standards, and pen operators must supply the scales.

Sellers must ensure accuracy, regularly maintain and clean weighing equipment to prevent diseases, besides providing safe conditions that avoid harming or stressing animals.

All weight transactions must be logged with the respective date, animal type, recorded weight, and any additional data required by authorities.

Weighing must be visible to both parties, and buyers must be allowed to dispute and request a reweigh.

Fraud, scale tampering, or any misleading practices are banned. Ministry inspectors can suspend any non-compliant scale until compliance with the set standards.

Operators must also cooperate with inspectors and provide requested information. Staff must be trained in proper weighing procedures to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Outside the pens, in public market areas, sales must also follow certified weighing procedures.

Market investors must provide a sufficient number of approved scales based on livestock volumes and assign trained personnel to handle the weighing process.