UAE’s Environment Ministry to reduce or waive fees for 50 services from May 1

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

The move aims to stimulate business activities in sectors under the ministry’s mandate, official news agency WAM reported.

The services that the move will apply to fall under nine categories, including: livestock import and export (six services), horse import (two services), falcon import and export (three services), pet import (three 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).

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.

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

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

The decision also exempts customers from late payment fines and 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.

Fee reduction

The fee for the issue or renewal of a licence to open a veterinary product company or a livestock farm has been cut 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.

For the release of consignments of reptiles and select other species, the fee has been slashed from Dhs100 to Dhs10 per animal.

The fees for the release of agricultural product consignments will be cut to Dhs200 from Dhs500.

For import permits for broodstock and larvae, live animals and birds, hatching eggs, and veterinary products, the fees will drop from Dhs300 to Dhs100.

Meanwhile the fees for the import permits for animal feed and fodder, pesticides, and active substances, and licences to trade in locally manufactured fertilisers and agricultural conditioners will see a fee reduction from Dhs500 to Dhs100.

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

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

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.”

The also MOCCAE offers 22 complimentary services at present including: 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 licence; and agricultural and veterinary extension services.