RIYADH: The Ministry of Agriculture has issued warnings to breeders who have not been accurately declaring the number of animals they own.

“For livestock census purposes, breeders must accurately declare the number of heads they possess,” according to ministry sources.

The sources added that violators of this ruling face penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of SR1 million.

They added that some livestock owners seek to increase the number of animals they have in their possession to obtain free services such as access to veterinary medicines.

“The livestock breeders also want to purchase animal feed from cooperative societies at a discounted price,” the sources said. They claimed that the ministry has adopted a model for a formal pledge which is imperative for a livestock owner to fill out.

The sources added that a large number of animal owners, in different provinces of the Kingdom, modified the livestock census after learning of the new regulation under which they face penalties.