Individuals not allowed to set up farms on land not owned by them as per new decree

A new Decree announced on Friday prohibits anyone in Dubai from establishing farms or erecting fences on property that they do not own. The Honourable The emir of Dubai and vice president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, issued Decree No. 61 of 2023, which governs farms in the emirate.

The Decree is in line with Dubai's policy for food security and its dedication to upholding the strictest standards for public health and safety. Its major objectives are to preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the surroundings, to stop the growth of haphazard farms, and to promote the welfare and development of the emirate's livestock.

The Decree's restrictions are applicable to farms owned by citizens of Dubai; however, they do not apply to farms used for camel horse racing and managed by the Dubai Camel Racing Club, winter camps run by the Dubai Municipality, or any other type of farm that the Dubai Ruler has decided to include.

In accordance with the Decree, the Dubai Municipality works in tandem with the Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for Procurement and Finance to supervise and manage agricultural operations in Dubai.

Authorization of the land and areas allotted to farms in Dubai is the responsibility of the municipality in collaboration with the Office of the Dubai Ruler. It will also manage agricultural animals, keep an eye on their health, and provide therapeutic, preventative, and veterinary services. In addition, it oversees the registration of animals and handles problems pertaining to illnesses and outbreaks that affect livestock.