Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has announced that it will reduce the fees for 44 of its services and waive the fees for another six starting from May 1, 2021.

In line with the Cabinet Resolution No.30 of 2021 on fees for MOCCAE’s services, the move aims to stimulate business activities in sectors under the Ministry’s mandate and increase customer happiness.

Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: "The service fee reduction is part of MOCCAE’s integrated approach to enhancing national food security, streamlining the food supply chain, increasing local agricultural production, and encouraging young people to become agricultural entrepreneurs. Minimising the financial burden on investors in the food sector will assist them in expanding their businesses."

He added: "Teams from the Ministry met with investors and farmers to explore the challenges they face in their work, and identify effective solutions. This has helped us determine which services to target in our fee restructuring drive to improve business continuity."

Dr Al Nuaimi highlighted the role of digital transformation in enabling MOCCAE to reduce fees and provide its services around the clock.

Service categories

The services in question fall under nine categories, including livestock import and export (six services), horse import (two services), falcon import and export (three services), pet import (3 services), veterinary products and companies (four services), other animal consignments (15 services), fertiliser and pesticide trade (five services), agricultural consignments (seven services), and practice of specialised professions and activities (six services).

The issue or renewal of a license to open a veterinary product company or a livestock farm will see a significant fee reduction from Dhs5,000 to Dhs2,000, and the fee for the analysis of pesticide residues in local plant products will be lowered from Dhs500 to Dhs200 per sample.

The fees for the release of consignments of reptiles and select other species will drop from Dhs100 to just Dhs10 per animal.

The fees for the release of agricultural product consignments will be brought down from Dhs500 to Dhs200. And for the issue of import permits for broodstock and larvae, live animals and birds, hatching eggs, and veterinary products, the fees will drop from Dhs 300 to Dhs100.

The issue of import permits for animal feed and fodder, pesticides, and active substances, and licenses to trade in locally manufactured fertilisers and agricultural conditioners will see a fee reduction from Dhs500 to Dhs100.

The fee for the issue of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certificate to import, export, or re-export falcons will be lowered from Dhs300 to Dhs75 per bird.

Furthermore, the fee for the release of a falcon consignment at borders will be set at Dhs50 per bird, compared to Dhs200 earlier, and the fee for the issue of a falcon passport will be cut down from Dhs500 to Dhs200.

Among the services with waived fees are the registration and testing of a new plant variety (previously Dhs10,000 each). The move aims to encourage the cultivation of new varieties.

And in a bid to boost local livestock production through importing new strains for breeding, the list includes the release of sheep and goat consignments (previously Dhs100 per head), and cow and buffalo consignments (previously Dhs200 per head).

Moreover, the fee for the permit to use the Organic logo for organic products (previously Dhs5,000) will be waived to promote organic agriculture.

The Cabinet Resolution No. 30 of 2021 on fees for MOCCAE’s services exempts customers from late payment fines that were imposed by the Cabinet Resolution No.14 of 2014. It also exempts research centres and laboratories from paying for permits for the import, export, release, and lab analysis of samples used for research and diagnostic purposes. Furthermore, it exempts small enterprises subsidised by the federal or local government from service fees.

In addition, MOCCAE offers its customers 22 complimentary services.

These include the accreditation of disinfectants, veterinary equipment and supplies, and animal care supplies, approval of veterinary raw materials for import, issue of falcon identification rings, services pertaining to the registration, transfer, and cancellation of the ownership of CITES-listed, species, amendment or cancellation of a professional licence, issue or renewal of a fishing boat license, and agricultural and veterinary extension services.
WAM