UAE issues law for regulation of veterinary products

Dubai - A penalty of Dh10,000 to Dh500,000 will be imposed on those possessing, selling, marketing, manufacturing, importing, storing or handling a counterfeit, corrupt or expired veterinary product.

The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has issued Federal Law No. 09 of 2017 regulating the handling, trading, marketing and circulation of veterinary products considering its direct impact on animal and public health, as well as the environment at large.

The move emphasises the critical role of veterinary medicines and related products in animal production and protection. Aiming to reduce the spread of epidemic and infectious diseases and the consequent increase in biosecurity rates, the regulation will help ensure food safety, contributing to achieving UAE vision 2021 objectives that prioritise the protection and development of livestock.

Under the law, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) is mandated to facilitate the licensing and registration of companies and factories, as well as veterinary products, review technical reports received from international organisations or bodies on veterinary products and companies, monitor markets, collect reports from hospitals or veterinary clinics and publish lists of prohibited veterinary products.

The regulation introduces veterinary products by their ingredients that can cure or alter physiological functions in animals. It obligates the companies, factories and warehouses of veterinary products in the country to obtain the required license from the ministry prior to commencing the practice of any activity.

The regulation also outlines best practices for the storage of valid products and the safe disposal of destroyed or expired products without contributing to environmental pollution. According to the law, administrative penalties for violations include the warning, closure of company/plant/warehouse of veterinary products for a minimum of six months or, in some cases, even permanent closure.

A penalty of Dh10,000 to Dh500,000 will be imposed on those possessing, selling, marketing, manufacturing, importing, storing or handling a counterfeit, corrupt or expired veterinary product. While a penalty of Dh5,000 to Dh500,000 will be imposed on any person, who imports, transports or markets any registered veterinary product modifying its data without obtaining the approval of the ministry as stated in Article 24.

Imprisonment along with a fine of Dh20,000 to Dh100,000 or one of these penalties will be applied in the event of importing samples of any veterinary product for research or marketing purposes without obtaining the ministry's approval.

The law also details that imprisonment along with a fine of Dh50,000 to Dh500,000 or one of the two penalties will be applied for the use of a veterinary factory or related facilities for any other purpose without the approval of the ministry.

A penalty of Dh10,000 to Dh200,000 shall be levied for the submission of incorrect information related to a veterinary product, failure to provide information requested by the Ministry, or the use of inaccurate information in the media for the promotion of a veterinary product. Companies are not allowed to advertise a veterinary product in the media without approval in accordance with the conditions specified by the law.