Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Council of Ministers recently approved an ambitious project to create a national database for tracking camels via subcutaneous implanted rice-grain-size microchips, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has set up a committee to determine the mechanism for the mandatory application of electronic numbering and tracking microchips. The project is part of a wider initiative to control animal diseases and create a database on each camel and its owner. According to the ministry, there are about 1.4 million camels in Saudi Arabia, of which 14% are registered and tracked. The new project will contribute to the improvement of camels’ health and control the spread of diseases. The tracking mechanism is activated by a sterilized rice-grain-size microchip that is implanted permanently beneath the skin in the neck of the animal. The chip contains a unique 15-digit number defining the animal. The chip is coated with a special material to prevent any allergic reactions and to ensure safety of camel-products.