Law No. 17 of 2004 regulating and protecting the animal wealth.

This Law is composed of 7 Sections divided into 61 articles. Section I gives terms and definitions. Section II defines aims and objectives of this Law which are: unification of all procedures, and regulations of all activities related to animal wealth; development of animal wealth and domestic animals; arrangement and regulating the trade and circulation of requisites and necessities for animal health and animal products; encouragement and protection of internal and external investments in animal wealth and domestic animal; protection and development of wild animals and birds; encouragement and regulating veterinary national qualified staff and cadres; quality control and inspection on animal products; encouragement and support of veterinary services; development of rural and capacity production increase of animal and animal products; and, diffusion and propagation of veterinary enlightenment. Section III deals with the following matters: protection and development of animal wealth; arrangement and regulating of animal production; encouragement of investments; protection of wild animals and birds; and, protection and development of honey bees and silkworms. Section IV provides for the following matters: animal health; veterinary medicine; fighting animal pests and diseases; and, animal quarantine. Section V pertains to slaughterhouses and meat markets. Section VI contains offences, penalties and fees. Section VII contains general provisions.
To protect the quality of food of animal origin and, consequently, public health (i) article 31 prohibits to slaughter animals for food purposes except in slaughterhouses and places of slaughter officially authorized by the competent authority; (ii) article 34 prohibits to sell meat unless it is stamped with the official veterinary seal; and (iii) article 14 provides measures to protect the experiences inherited by the Yemeni beekeeper such as establish an administrative Unit concerned with the protection and development of honey bees and silk worms and the development of their products, and issue decisions regulating beekeeping and the profession of beekeepers (breeding - production - marketing), combating epidemics and diseases, protecting bee pastures, expanding the cultivation of green spaces and planting the Sidr tree because of its health importance and a major food source for bees.