Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has embarked on a detailed survey of camels and other animals in the country as part of government's efforts to prevent the spread of animal-borne diseases in the country.

Ibrahim Qassim, director general of livestock services, said his ministry has completed registering 200,000 camels.

"This is a big achievement and we will continue our efforts to number other camels and animals. We hope to complete this project within six months," he added.

"We will launch another national project to number all animals in the Kingdom, one of the schemes aimed at controlling animal-borne diseases within the 2020 National Transformation Program," Qassim said.

He said there were 1.4 million camels in the country owned by 60,000 people. "About 66 percent of camels in the Kingdom are in animal holdings," he added.

The Riyadh province tops in number of camels with 322,579, followed by the Eastern Province (256,079) and the Makkah (200,241)," Qassim said while speaking to Al-Hayat Arabic daily.

Asked about the ministry's role in organizing the King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival northeast of Riyadh, as part of the winter tourism festivals, he said his department would provide veterinary services for all participating camels.

"Our role is to inspect the health and number each participating camel a month before the festival," Qassim said.

"We will check the condition of camels on their arrival at the festival site and provide them with necessary veterinary services," Qassim said, adding that the ministry will also take necessary measures to prevent fraudulent practices.

The ministry will have a specialized veterinary clinic at the festival site, in addition to 10 mobile clinics and a mobile laboratory as well as veterinary guidance teams.

Qassim said there are about 60,000 camel owners registered with the ministry, adding that they belonged to the Kingdom's different regions.

"We have a total of 177 veterinary clinics under the ministry and we play a big role in preserving and developing the country's animal resources by extending advanced veterinary services to livestock owners through well-equipped clinics," he added.

Qassim emphasized the ministry's efforts to highlight the link between human health and animal as well as environmental health. "This move is significant to confront diseases that spread by viruses and bacteria carried by birds and animals," he said.

Six out of every 10 contagious diseases spread among human beings are through animals, Qassim said, quoting healthcare researchers.

"This joint health program is significant to establish a frontline to protect humans and animals from deadly diseases," he added.