Saudi authorities have intensified their efforts to regulate the thriving camel sector by seizing dozens of camels of undocumented origin.

Inspectors from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in Riyadh recently confiscated 109 camels of unknown origin and dismantled 14 unlicensed sheds used illegally for breeding and milking camels, according to the Saudi news agency SPA. Additionally, large quantities of camel milk offered for sale by irregular vendors were confiscated during the operation.

Crackdown on Irregular Camel Milk Vendors

The inspection tours targeted irregular vendors selling camel milk at markets and along roads. The ministry's branch in Riyadh emphasized that these tours are part of ongoing field efforts to eliminate the haphazard sale of milk, often linked to illegal labor practices.

Nationwide Campaigns Against Legal Violations

In recent months, Saudi Arabia, home to a significant expatriate community, has increased nationwide campaigns against violators of the country’s labor, residency, and border security laws, resulting in the arrest of thousands of individuals.

Importance of Camel Registration

Saudi authorities have repeatedly urged camel owners to register their animals, stressing that unregistered camels are prohibited from being sold, bought, or having their ownership transferred. Failure to register camels makes their owners liable to penalties. Registering camels helps establish a database that facilitates their sale and ownership transfer and provides valuable information on their numbers, species, and geographical distribution, granting owners access to various services.

DNA Testing for Camel Documentation

Last year, Saudi Arabia launched a project to document camel strains using DNA tests to preserve rare species. The registration, conducted through an ad-hoc portal, includes various data on camels, such as their DNA. This initiative aims to document all camels in the kingdom, where they hold significant cultural heritage value. Camels have long been dubbed the “ship of the desert,” serving as a lifeline for desert dwellers.

Economic Impact of the Camel Market

There are approximately 1.8 million camels in Saudi Arabia, with a market value exceeding SR50 billion, according to official figures. The rigorous regulation and registration efforts aim to sustain and protect this valuable sector.