UAE: New law to protect farms from pests, plant diseases
A new federal law aimed at protecting UAE farms from pests and plant diseases is in the works, as the Federal National Council's Constitutional, Legislative and Appeals and Complaints Committee approved its work plan to review the draft legislation on agricultural quarantine.
The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Dr. Ahmed Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Committee.
The proposed federal law on agricultural quarantine is a critical legislative initiative aimed at bolstering the UAE's biosecurity and safeguarding its agricultural wealth.
According to an explanatory memorandum from the government, agricultural quarantine serves as a vital protective barrier against the ingress of plant pests and diseases, thereby preserving the nation's agricultural resources, mitigating the need for extensive chemical controls, and reducing associated economic losses.
It also plays a crucial role in environmental protection by minimizing the use of pesticides and pollutants.
The existing Federal Law No. (5) of 1979, along with its amendments, has historically governed agricultural quarantine procedures, including the import and export of plant consignments and related stipulations.
However, the continuous evolution and modernisation of global standards, particularly those set by the International Plant Protection Convention, necessitate periodic revisions to national agricultural quarantine laws.
In line with the government's strategic directives to enhance and update the country's legislative framework, and to ensure the UAE's adherence to its international commitments stemming from its membership in various international agreements and organisations, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has undertaken a comprehensive review of the 1979 law.
This initiative, conducted in coordination with relevant local government entities, has culminated in the preparation of this new draft federal law.
The primary objectives of the new draft law are multifaceted: to prevent the entry and proliferation of pests within the UAE, to protect the environment and plant resources from all forms of agricultural pests, to decrease reliance on chemical pest control methods, and ultimately, to safeguard public health and the environment.
The draft law comprises 28 articles, meticulously covering a wide range of provisions. These include definitions and general stipulations, the overarching goals of the law, the Ministry's specific competencies, regulations concerning the import, export, and transit of agricultural shipments, and others.
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