Saudi Arabia has unveiled stringent legislative amendments targeting the manufacturing and importation of prohibited or counterfeit pesticides, introducing penalties among the most severe globally for agricultural violations. The Kingdom’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has advanced a proposal to overhaul penalty provisions within the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Pesticides Law framework.
Under the proposed regulations, violators face imprisonment for up to five years and financial penalties reaching 10 million Saudi riyals (approximately $2.67 million). The Public Prosecution retains authority to double these sanctions for repeat offenses occurring within a three-year timeframe.
The legislative framework incorporates a tiered enforcement approach. Initial violations that cause no demonstrable harm to human health, animal welfare, plant life, or environmental systems will trigger official warnings and grace periods for compliance. However, violations resulting in documented damage will face immediate criminal prosecution through specialized courts.
Additional consequences include mandatory destruction of confiscated materials by certified chemical disposal firms or repatriation to country of origin—with all associated costs borne by the violator. Regulatory authorities may impose temporary operational suspensions of up to six months or permanent facility closures for egregious violations. Affected parties retain rights to appeal through the Administrative Court’s established judicial procedures.
This regulatory strengthening reflects Saudi Arabia’s escalating commitment to environmental protection and agricultural safety within its Vision 2030 diversification initiatives, signaling heightened vigilance against hazardous materials entering its supply chains.