Federal Law No.7 of 2025 regarding Agricultural Quarantine.

This Law, comprising 28 articles, aims to: (i) prevent the introduction and spread of pests within the State; and (ii) protect the State’s environment and plant resources from all types of agricultural pests. It applies to plants, plant products, beneficial organisms, and other articles regulated under the Phytosanitary Regulations that are imported into, exported from, or transiting through the State. Article 4 sets out the competencies of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, which include: (i) determining Quarantine Pests and Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests through a decision issued by the Minister; (ii) regulating the importation of plants, plant products, beneficial organisms, and other articles governed by the Phytosanitary Regulations; (iii) regulating the export and re-export of such plants, plant products, beneficial organisms, and other regulated articles in order to meet the requirements of importing countries, in accordance with their national legislation and/or applicable international agreements; (iv) preventing the entry of Quarantine Pests into the State; and (v) designating any location as a Quarantine Area; (vi) adopting the necessary phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction and spread of Quarantine Pests; (vii) applying quarantine procedures to agricultural consignments, including after entry into the State where necessary; (viii) conducting Pest Risk Analysis and pest surveillance operations; (ix) periodically reviewing phytosanitary measures in line with international standards; (x) coordinating and cooperating with relevant international and regional plant protection organizations and fulfilling international obligations relating to pest monitoring, reporting, and notification in accordance with the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs); (xi) preparing guidelines, training programmes, seminars, and public awareness activities concerning plant health and the regulation of plants, plant products, beneficial organisms; (xii) recommending the establishment of Agricultural Quarantine Centres where necessary; (xiii) publishing information on regulated pests and methods for their prevention, control, and containment; (xiv) assessing imported plants to ensure that they do not adversely affect the State’s natural biodiversity; (xv) issuing Phytosanitary Certificates; (xvi) regulating the procedures and requirements applicable to Transit Agricultural Consignments. Article 5 provides that agricultural consignments may be imported, exported, or transited through the State only after inspection by the Ministry and confirmation of compliance with the Law and its implementing regulations. Such consignments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country (with imported honeybees requiring a phytosanitary or veterinary certificate confirming freedom from bee pests). Exporters or re-exporters must apply to the Ministry for a phytosanitary certificate. Where a consignment poses a pest risk or fails to comply with legal requirements, the Ministry may reject it or order its return, treatment, or destruction at the owner’s expense. Article 7 provides that agricultural consignments and regulated articles - whether imported, exported, in transit, or circulated within the State - as well as agricultural land and related materials, are subject to inspection to verify pest status and ensure the safe disposal of relevant waste.
Article 8 establishes measures in cases where the presence of a Quarantine Pest is suspected. The Ministry may enter and inspect agricultural land or storage places and take samples to verify the presence of pests. The Minister may also declare the area a quarantine area, restrict movement, and ensure eradication or containment measures are implemented, including authorizing intervention where owners fail to comply. Upon the incursion of a Quarantine Pest into the State, the Ministry, in coordination with the Establishment, shall adopt necessary phytosanitary measures to eradicate and prevent its spread, and notify other countries of the adoption and lifting of such measures (Art.10). Article 11 provides that the Ministry, in coordination with relevant authorities, may adopt immediate measures to address emergency or unforeseen threats to plant health and shall amend or revoke such measures once the threat has ceased or been mitigated. Article 12 prohibits entry into the State without obtaining a Permit from the Ministry or the Establishment (i) sand used in agriculture; (ii) natural agricultural soil, or soil accompanying agricultural consignments; (iii) untreated and non-sterilized organic fertilizers.