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As part of its Vision 2021 strategy, the UAE is striving for sustainable development by moving towards economic diversification away from oil, with a focus on a number of strategic sectors, including biotechnology

Certain economic activities are reserved for UAE nationals, including hunting and forestry-related services; fishing services; and natural resources, including oil and gas, electricity, water treatment and distribution

Imports of various goods, such as ivory, hazardous waste and organic fertilizers, are prohibited in the UAE based on inter alia environmental considerations, and to implement international conventions

The UAE implements the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) as a mandatory product certification scheme, which applies to products that affect health and safety or have an impact on the environment, such as low-voltage equipment and toys

GMOs are not specifically banned in the UAE; however, food labels should indicate if any of the ingredients used are genetically modified

In general, it is prohibited to import living insects, bacteria, virus, parasites, and agricultural materials infected by any pests without previous authorization from the relevant authority and the Minister in charge, may at any point prohibit or restrict the importation, sale, cultivation, propagation or movement of any plant, soil or any item that can spread a pest to protect plant and animal health and the environment, including endangered species of wild fauna and flora

Exports of endangered fish and wildlife species are prohibited or restricted on environmental grounds, and to ensure compliance with international treaties and conventions, such as CITES

Licenses are required for controlled substances and precursor chemicals and endangered fish and wildlife species (Ministry of Environment and Water) among other products

The Patent and Design Law extends protection to innovations in all fields of technology, but excludes from patentability plant and animal research, or biological processes for the production of plants or animals, with the exception of microbiological processes and products; and diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals among other inventions

At the federal level, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW)is in charge of designing agricultural policies and coordinating with other agencies in order to achieve food security, while protecting the environment and scarce water resources and promoting bio-security