Saudi Arabia Proposes Tough New Penalties Including Up to Five Years in Prison and SR10 Million Fine for Banned Pesticides
Draft regulation targets manufacturing and import of banned or counterfeit pesticides to protect public health, agriculture and the environment
Saudi Arabia has moved to strengthen its regulatory framework on pesticides by proposing stringent penalties for the manufacture or import of banned or counterfeit chemical products.
Under the draft regulation unveiled by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, individuals and companies found producing or bringing prohibited pesticides into the Kingdom could face up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ten million Saudi riyals.
The proposed rules form part of an update to the penalties section of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Pesticides Law and aim to curb the circulation of harmful chemical substances that pose risks to human health, livestock, crops and the natural environment.
Less serious infractions that do not cause significant harm would initially attract formal warnings and a grace period for corrective action, reflecting a tiered approach to enforcement.
For more serious breaches, the draft calls for decisive punitive measures.
The Public Prosecution would investigate suspected violations and refer them to the competent court, where penalties could include imprisonment, fines or both.
Repeat offences within a three-year period would trigger enhanced sanctions, potentially including doubled fines to deter persistent non-compliance.
The draft also outlines broader enforcement powers for authorities.
Pesticidal materials involved in violations could be destroyed by certified disposal firms or re-exported to the country of origin at the violator’s expense.
Facilities linked to severe violations might face temporary closure of up to six months or permanent shutdown for egregious cases.
Decisions imposing penalties or closures would remain subject to appeal before the Administrative Court, ensuring procedural safeguards for affected parties.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority, in collaboration with the ministry, would play a key role in reviewing public-health-related pesticide violations and approving relevant penalties.
Officials emphasise that the proposed framework is designed to reinforce safe agricultural practices, discourage unlawful chemical trade, and align domestic standards with broader regional and international norms.
Under the draft regulation unveiled by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, individuals and companies found producing or bringing prohibited pesticides into the Kingdom could face up to five years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ten million Saudi riyals.
The proposed rules form part of an update to the penalties section of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Pesticides Law and aim to curb the circulation of harmful chemical substances that pose risks to human health, livestock, crops and the natural environment.
Less serious infractions that do not cause significant harm would initially attract formal warnings and a grace period for corrective action, reflecting a tiered approach to enforcement.
For more serious breaches, the draft calls for decisive punitive measures.
The Public Prosecution would investigate suspected violations and refer them to the competent court, where penalties could include imprisonment, fines or both.
Repeat offences within a three-year period would trigger enhanced sanctions, potentially including doubled fines to deter persistent non-compliance.
The draft also outlines broader enforcement powers for authorities.
Pesticidal materials involved in violations could be destroyed by certified disposal firms or re-exported to the country of origin at the violator’s expense.
Facilities linked to severe violations might face temporary closure of up to six months or permanent shutdown for egregious cases.
Decisions imposing penalties or closures would remain subject to appeal before the Administrative Court, ensuring procedural safeguards for affected parties.
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority, in collaboration with the ministry, would play a key role in reviewing public-health-related pesticide violations and approving relevant penalties.
Officials emphasise that the proposed framework is designed to reinforce safe agricultural practices, discourage unlawful chemical trade, and align domestic standards with broader regional and international norms.
