For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Decree by Law, the following terms and expressions shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context otherwise requires:
State: The United Arab Emirates.
Ministry: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Minister: The Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
Establishment: The Emirates Drug Establishment.
Competent Authority: The local authority concerned with agriculture in each Emirate.
Agricultural Quarantine:    All activities aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of pests subject to Agricultural Quarantine, or at ensuring that they are subject to pest control.
Point of Entry: All ports approved by the Competent Authority in the State for the importation of consignments or for the entry of passengers.
Inspector: The person licensed by the Competent Authorities in the State to carry out inspection activities in accordance with the legislation in force in the State.
Agricultural Consignment :  Any plants, Plant products, or any other Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations entering the State or exported therefrom and transported from one country to another, and which are covered, where appropriate, by a single Phytosanitary Certificate. (An Agricultural Consignment may consist of one or more commodities).
Plants:    Live or dead plants or parts thereof, including seeds and genetic material.
Plant Products: Unmanufactured materials of plant origin (including grains) and manufactured materials which, by their nature or method of processing, may pose a risk of the introduction and spread of pests in the State.
Phytosanitary Regulations: Resolutions issued by the Ministry that prevent the introduction and spread of Quarantine Pests or limit the economic impact of Non-Quarantine Pests Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations.
Article Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations:    Any Plants, Plant Products, Storage Place, packaging facilities, Means of Transport, container, soil, or any organism or material capable of harboring pests or facilitating their spread, and deemed to require phytosanitary measures, particularly in international transport.
Pest: Any species, strain, or biotype of plant or animal organisms, or any pathogenic or harmful agent to Plants or Plant Products.
Quarantine Pest Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations:    A pest of potential economic importance to the endangered area, which is not yet present therein, or is present but not widely distributed and subject to official control, as determined by a decision issued by the Minister.
Non-Quarantine Pest Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations: A non-quarantine pest whose presence in plants intended for planting affects the intended use of those plants with economically unacceptable impact and which has therefore been subjected to Phytosanitary Regulations within the territory of the contracting (importing) State, as determined by a decision issued by the Minister.
Pest Regulated Phytosanitary Regulations:    A Quarantine Pest or a Non-Quarantine Pest Subject to Phytosanitary Regulations.
Beneficial Organisms: Any organism, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, virus-like organisms, and invertebrates, designated by a decision issued by the Minister as beneficial to plant life or agricultural production.
Means of Transport: Any vessel, aircraft, train, vehicle, handcart, container, animal, or other conveyance used to transport Plants, Plant Products, or articles regulated under the Phytosanitary Regulations from one place to another.
Container: Any box, bag, or other item in which Plants or Plant Products are placed, and which may carry pests during or after transport.
Importer: Any natural or legal person, whether owner, consignor, consignee, agent, broker, or any other person who owns or has the right to import Plants, Plant Products, or other Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations from another State.
Packing Materials: Any material used to package or contain Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, soil, or plant pests.
Packaging Materials: Any product used to support, protect, or transport a commodity.
Soil: Material wholly or partially derived from the top layer of the earth’s crust capable of nourishing plant growth.
Survey:    A procedure conducted over a defined period to determine the presence or absence of pests, or the boundaries or characteristics of pest populations in an area, Place of Production, or Site of Production.
Monitoring: A continuous process to verify the plant's health status.
Surveillance: A process of collecting and recording data on the presence or absence of pests through Survey, Monitoring, or other procedures.
Inspection: The official visual examination of Plants, Plant Products, or other Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations to determine whether pests are present and/or to determine compliance with Phytosanitary Regulations.
Phytosanitary Certificate: An official paper or electronic document consistent with the certificate models of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), certifying that an Agricultural Consignment meets the phytosanitary import requirements and is free from pests regulated under applicable Phytosanitary Regulations.
Treatment: An authorized procedure to kill, remove, or neutralize pests.
Eradication: The application of phytosanitary measures to eliminate a pest from a defined area.
Containment: The application of phytosanitary measures in and around an infested area to prevent the spread of pests.
Agricultural Land: Farms, gardens, forests, rangelands, and any place where Plants are cultivated.
Transit Agricultural Consignment:    Any Agricultural Consignment transiting through the ports of the State without being imported thereinto.
Quarantine Center: A location where Plants, Plant Products, or any Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, including Beneficial Organisms, are held to verify that they are free from pests.
Quarantine Area:    An area within which a pest subject to Agricultural Quarantine is present and within which control measures are applied.
Pest Risk Analysis (PRA): A process of evaluating biological and scientific evidence, and other economic factors to determine whether an organism is a pest, and determine the level of phytosanitary measures to be against it.
Phytosanitary Measures: Any official procedures aimed at preventing the introduction and spread of pests regulated under Phytosanitary Regulations, or at limiting the economic impact of non-quarantine pests, including the issuance of related decisions.
Storage Place: The area or site in which Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, or Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations are kept or stored.
 

This Law aims to:
1. Prevent the introduction and spread of pests within the State.
2. Protect the environment and plant resources in the State from all types of agricultural pests.

The provisions of this Law shall apply to Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and other Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations imported into the State, exported therefrom, and Transit Agricultural Consignments of the State, in the cases specified by this Law and its Executive Regulations.

1. For the purposes of implementing this Law, the Ministry shall undertake the following competences:
    a. Determine Quarantine Pests and Non-Quarantine Pests Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations by a decision issued by the Minister.
    b. Regulate the importation of Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and other articles regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations.
    c. Regulate the export and re-export of Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and other articles regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations to fulfil the requirements of importing countries in accordance with their national regulations and/or international agreements.
    d. Prevent the entry of Quarantine Pests into the State.
    e. Designate any site as a Quarantine Area.
    f. Adopt the necessary Phytosanitary Measures to prevent the introduction of Quarantine Pests into the State and their spread within the State.
    g. Apply quarantine procedures to an Agricultural Consignment after its entry into the State where necessary.
    h. Conduct Pest Risk Analysis.
    i. Carry out periodic reviews of Phytosanitary Measures in line with international standards.
    j. Conduct Surveillance operations for pests present in the State.
    k. Coordinate and cooperate with relevant international and regional plant protection organizations to keep abreast of international developments in the field of plant health.
    l. Prepare and organize periodic training programs, seminars, conferences, and workshops to review pest status and to guide and raise public awareness of the importance of plant health through various media outlets.
    m. Prepare a guideline, in coordination with the Competent Authority, concerning the import, export, and re-export of Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and articles regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, whether for trade or scientific research purposes.
    n. Recommend the establishment of Agricultural Quarantine Centers as needed.
    o. Fulfil international obligations relating to pest reporting, and develop a system for monitoring, reporting, and announcing agricultural pests in accordance with the international standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs).
    p. Publish information concerning pests regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations and methods for preventing their introduction, spread, and control.
    q. Study and evaluate imported Plants to ensure that they do not cause adverse environmental effects on natural biodiversity in the State.
    r. Issue Phytosanitary Certificates.
    s. Regulate the procedures and requirements of Transit Agricultural Consignments.
    t. Perform any other functions assigned thereto pursuant to the provisions of this Law or the regulations issued in implementation thereof.
2. In exercising the competences referred to in Clause (1) of this Article, the Ministry shall coordinate with the Establishment and the Competent Authority where required.

1. No Agricultural Consignment shall be imported into the State or exported therefrom unless it has been inspected by the Ministry and verified to be in compliance with the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations, and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof.
2. Every Agricultural Consignment imported into or transiting through the State shall be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate authenticated by the Competent Authorities in the exporting country.
3. Any person wishing to export or re-export an Agricultural Consignment that satisfies the requirements of the importing country shall submit an application to the Ministry to obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate, in accordance with the conditions and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law.
4. Imported consignments of honeybees shall be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate or a veterinary certificate authenticated by the Competent Authorities of the exporting country, confirming that they are free from all bee pests.
5. If it is established that an Agricultural Consignment or a Transit Agricultural Consignment threatens to introduce or spread a pest within the State, or is non-compliant with the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations, and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, or where the presence of pests or diseases is suspected therein, the Ministry may take any of the following measures:
    a. Reject the imported, exported, or transit Agricultural Consignment.
    b. Order the return, treatment, or destruction of the Agricultural Consignment at the expense of its owner, as the case may be, without the Ministry bearing any compensation or costs.
    c. Cancel any conditions prescribed based on the level of risk associated with certain Agricultural Consignments.
    d. Any other measures specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law.

1. Any person or Importer entering the State in possession of Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations or Beneficial Organisms shall disclose the same to customs officers at the Point of Entry.
2. Any customs officer notified of, or becomes aware of, the arrival of Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations shall detain such articles and notify the Inspector.
3. No regulated articles detained pursuant to clause (2) of this Article shall be released except with the approval of the Ministry.

1. Agricultural Consignments that are imported, in transit, intended for export from the State, or circulated within the State containing Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, including Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and other materials, shall be subject to Inspection.
2. Agricultural Land, Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, and other Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, including those stored, shall be subject to Inspection to verify the absence, outbreak, or spread of pests regulated by such Regulations.
3. It shall be verified that safe disposal is carried out in respect of waste from:
    a. Means of Transport arriving in the State.
    b. Sites for the treatment of imported Plants or Plant Products.

1. In the event of suspicion of the presence of a Quarantine Pest in Agricultural Land or in a Storage Place, the Ministry, or its delegate in cooperation with the Competent Authority, shall take the following measures:
    a. Enter Agricultural Land or the Storage Place.
    b. Inspect Plants, Plant Products, Beneficial Organisms, or Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations.
    c. Take the necessary samples.
2. The Minister, or their delegate, in the event of suspicion of the presence of a Quarantine Pest in Agricultural Land or in any other place, may:
    a. Declare the suspected area a Quarantine Area and notify the owner or occupant in writing or by any electronic means, as well as the owners and occupants of adjacent lands and properties where necessary, and take appropriate measures in their lands to Eradicate, Contain, or prevent the spread of the Quarantine Pest.
    b. Prohibit or restrict the movement of persons, animals, Means of Transport, or any Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations from or to the Quarantine Area.
3. Where the persons referred to in Paragraph (a) of Clause (2) fail to implement the measures notified thereto, or where the seriousness of the situation requires the prompt adoption of appropriate measures, the Minister may authorize any person they deem appropriate to enter the land or place and implement the measures specified in the notification, provided that an authorization from the Public Prosecution is obtained where the place is a dwelling.

The Ministry, in coordination with the Competent Authority, shall continuously assess Quarantine Areas and lift quarantine upon the occurrence of either of the following:
1. Elimination of the pest that necessitated the placing the area under quarantine.
2. Absence of any need to maintain the affected area, wholly or partially, under quarantine.
All owners and occupants of the affected areas shall be notified in writing or by any electronic means of the lifting of quarantine, and such areas shall be subject to a periodic review.

Upon the incursion of any Quarantine Pest into the territory of the State, the Ministry, in coordination with the Establishment, shall adopt the necessary Phytosanitary Measures to eradicate it and prevent its spread to other endangered areas, and shall notify other countries of the adoption and lifting of such measures.

1. In cases where emergency or unforeseen problems arise that may pose a significant threat to plant health, the Ministry, in coordination with the Establishment, the Competent Authority, and relevant authorities, may adopt immediate measures to limit or eliminate the threat.
2. Upon the cessation or mitigation of the threat, the Ministry shall amend or revoke the measures adopted pursuant to clause (1) of this Article after coordination with the Establishment, the Competent Authority, and the relevant authorities.

1. The following materials shall be prohibited from entry into the State without obtaining a Permit from the Ministry or the Establishment, as the case may be:
    a. Sand used in agriculture, natural agricultural Soil, or Soil accompanying Agricultural Consignments.
    b. Untreated and non-sterilized organic fertilizers.
2. The Executive Regulations shall determine the conditions and procedures for obtaining the Permit referred to in Clause (1) of this Article.

1. The Ministry, or its delegate, in the event of suspicion of Pests or Diseases in Plants, Plant Products, or Beneficial Organisms, may take the following measures:
    a. Designate certain sites as Quarantine Centers to place Plants, Plant Products, or Beneficial Organisms under Surveillance, research, Inspection, testing, and detention.
    b. Retain Plants, Plant Products, or Beneficial Organisms in any Quarantine Center or officially designated site for an appropriate period.
2. The Importer shall bear all costs arising from the implementation of the above provisions.

1. Without prejudice to the provisions of this Law, the Ministry, in coordination with the Competent Authority, may prohibit or restrict the import, export, sale, cultivation, propagation, or transport of any Beneficial Organisms or Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, or any items capable of harboring a Pest or facilitating its spread.
2. Notwithstanding Clause (1) of this Article, the import of Plants, Plant Products, Pests, Beneficial Organisms, Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, or other items for scientific research, experimental purposes, and for governmental entities may be permitted after obtaining the approval of the Ministry.

1. An exported or re-exported Agricultural Consignment shall be securely placed in Packing Materials or Packaging Materials for final export.
2. The Exporter shall not open the parcels prepared for export or any part thereof after approval of their export or re-export.
3. Any other controls specified in the Executive Regulations of this Law.

1. An Agricultural Consignment shall be exported or re-exported within (7) seven working days from the date of issuance of the Phytosanitary Certificate for export or re-export.
2. The Ministry may extend the period referred to in Clause (1) of this Article depending on the type of Agricultural Consignment, storage conditions, and transport requirements.

Any person aggrieved by resolutions issued in implementation of the provisions of this Law may submit a grievance in accordance with the controls and procedures specified in the Executive Regulations.

The application of the penalties stipulated in this Law shall not prejudice any more severe penalty prescribed by any other law.

1. A fine of not less than (AED 50,000) fifty thousand dirhams and not exceeding (AED 500,000) five hundred thousand dirhams shall be imposed upon any person who:
    a. Imports or introduces into the State Beneficial Organisms or Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations without disclosing them to customs officers at the Point of Entry.
    b. Introduces sand used in agriculture, natural agricultural Soil, or Soil accompanying Agricultural Consignments, or introduces untreated and non-sterilized organic fertilizers, without obtaining a Permit from the Ministry or the Establishment, as the case may be.
    c. Imports, exports, sells, cultivates, propagates, or transports any Beneficial Organisms or Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, or any items capable of harboring a Pest or facilitating its spread, in respect of which a decision has been issued by the Ministry prohibiting or restricting such acts.
2. A fine of not less than (AED 30,000) thirty thousand dirhams and not exceeding (AED 100,000) one hundred thousand dirhams shall be imposed upon any person who:
    a. Exports or re-exports an Agricultural Consignment without fulfilling phytosanitary requirements and without obtaining a Phytosanitary Certificate from the Ministry.
    b. Introduces into the State a Transit Agricultural Consignment without fulfilling phytosanitary requirements.
3. In all cases, the court shall order the confiscation of the seized items and shall mandate the Ministry to dispose thereof.
4. The penalty shall be doubled in the event of recidivism, and the deportation of a foreign national shall be ordered.

Criminal proceedings in respect of the offences stipulated in Article (19) of this Law shall not be initiated except upon a written request from the Ministry.

The administrative violations and sanctions for acts committed in contravention of the provisions of this Law and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof, as well as the mechanism for grievance thereagainst, shall be determined by a resolution issued by the Cabinet upon the proposal of the Ministry and in coordination with the Establishment and the Competent Authority.

The employees designated by a decision issued by the Minister of Justice, in agreement with the Minister or the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Establishment, shall have the capacity of judicial enforcement officers to establish violations of the provisions of this Law, its Executive Regulations, and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof.

The fees prescribed for the implementation of the provisions of this Law shall be determined by a resolution issued by the Cabinet upon the proposal of the Minister, in coordination with the Establishment, and upon the presentation of the Minister of Finance.

The Cabinet, upon the recommendation of the Minister, may approve the following:
1. The delegation of certain competences of the Ministry provided for in this Law and its Executive Regulations to any federal or local government authority.
2. The assignment of certain tasks and services of the Ministry provided for in this Law and its Executive Regulations to any other governmental or private entity.

The Cabinet shall, upon the proposal of the Minister and after coordination with the Establishment and the Competent Authority, issue the Executive Regulations of this Law within (6) six months from the date of its entry into force.

The Ministry shall implement the provisions of this Law and shall coordinate with the Establishment regarding Plant Products, Articles Regulated by the Phytosanitary Regulations, and Agricultural Consignments where such consignments consist of fertilizers of all types, plant growth regulators, or Soil conditioners.

1. Federal Law No. (5) of 1979 Regarding Agricultural Quarantine is hereby repealed, as well as any provision that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of this Law.
2. The regulations and resolutions issued in implementation of Federal Law No. (5) of 1979 Regarding Agricultural Quarantine shall remain in force until the regulations and resolutions necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this Law are issued, insofar as they do not contradict its provisions.

This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force (30) thirty days after the date of its publication.