KSA to import 665,600 sheep to cover Hajj season

The Saudi Ministry of Environment revealed that more than 680,000 heads of livestock were released as part of the ministry’s plan to cover the demand of the local market and the Hajj season for the current year.

The Director-General of Environment Ministry in Makkah, Saeed Al-Ghamdi, said that the consignments coming to the Kingdom through the Jeddah Islamic Port were divided into 665.600 heads of sheep, more than 7.400 camels, and more than 6.700 heads of cows.

Al-Ghamdi reported that there are three teams at the outlets of the Holy Capital from13 July last in (Al-Ka’kiyah, Al-Nawwariya, and Al-Bahita).

He added that there are specialized cadres of veterinarians, veterinarians assistants and administrators working around the clock to prevent the entry of any sheep until after verifying their source and safety.

He stressed that they conduct veterinary examinations on livestock and sampling, monitor violations of the livestock system, animal welfare and veterinary quarantine, and ensure the validity of the transport and release certificate.

The teams also verify the validity of the exit certificate for livestock and record the numbers of livestock. They have assigned four field veterinary teams to the cattle markets, emergency and support markets and the Emirate of Makkah Al-Mukarramah region.