Circular Agriculture and Organic Farming Grants Act, 1731

Circular Agriculture and Organic Farming Grants Act, 1731

Long title	Act to Create Grants for Circular Agriculture and Organic Farming; Among Other Purposes.
Introduced by	Deputy Alfons Dandela (FCP)
Other legislation
Amendments	None
Related legislation	None

Legislative History

Status	Date	Tabled By	Vote Outcome
Introduced in the Federal Assembly	1719 AN	Deputy Alfons Dandela (FCP)	Not taken up
Reintroduced in the Federal Assembly	1731 AN	Deputy Alfons Dandela (FCP)
Debated in the Federal Assembly	1731 AN	Deputy Alfons Dandela (FCP)
Passed in the Federal Assembly
Debated in the Chamber of Peers
Passed in the Chamber of Peers
Royal Assent

Bill Text

As submitted to the Hopper of the Federal Assembly, 1719 AN.

A

BILL

TO

To Create Grants for Circular Agriculture and Organic Farming; Among Other Purposes.

CIRCULAR AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIC FARMING ACT GRANTS, 1719

Ordered, by the Federal Assembly of Nouvelle Alexandrie,
to be Printed, 1719 AN.

_______________________________

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Federal Assembly, in this present session assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Article 1: Short Title.

1. This act shall be known as the Circular Agriculture and Organic Farming Grants Act, 1719.
   

Article 2: Defitions.

1. "Organic farming" means a system of agriculture that uses natural and environmentally friendly methods to produce crops, livestock, and other agricultural products. Organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, genetically modified organisms, and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment and human health.
2. "Circular agriculture" means an agricultural system that uses waste as a resource and minimizes waste and pollution, while enhancing biodiversity, ecosystem services, and social well-being. Circular agriculture promotes the use of renewable resources, reduces dependence on non-renewable resources, and promotes sustainable agriculture practices.

PART II
GRANTS SYSTEM

Article 3: Grants Program

1. The Department of Trade and Industry shall establish a grant program to promote circular agriculture and organic farming. The grant program shall provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the implementation of circular agriculture and organic farming practices.
2. The grant program shall be administered by the Department, which shall be responsible for the distribution of grants to eligible farmers and agricultural producers.
3. The grants shall be awarded on a competitive basis, based on the merit of the proposals submitted by the applicants.
4. The grants shall be used to support the implementation of circular agriculture and organic farming practices, including but not limited to:
   1. soil conservation and improvement: including for cover cropping, reduced tillage, and the use of compost and other organic soil amendments.
   2. water conservation and management: including for irrigation scheduling, rainwater harvesting, and the use of drip irrigation and other efficient irrigation methods.
   3. waste reduction and recycling: including for composting, vermicomposting, and the use of anaerobic digestion and other waste-to-energy technologies.
   4. energy conservation and renewable energy production: including for the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies.
   5. biodiversity enhancement and habitat restoration: including the establishment of hedgerows, pollinator habitats, and other wildlife habitats.
   6. research and development of new circular agriculture and organic farming practices: including the development of new crops, breeding of new livestock, and the testing of new technologies and management practices.
   7. education and outreach to farmers, consumers, and the public: including the development of training materials, workshops, and other educational programs.
      

Article 4: Criteria for Eligibility

1. To be eligible for a grant under this Act, an applicant must:
   1. be a farmer, rancher, or other agricultural producer engaged in agricultural practices;
   2. demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. This commitment should be evident in the applicant's agricultural practices and demonstrated in their proposals for the use of the grant funds;
   3. submit a proposal that meets the requirements of the grant program guidelines. The proposal should clearly describe the circular agriculture or organic farming practices that will be implemented with the grant funds, and provide a detailed plan for how the funds will be used to achieve the intended outcomes. The proposal should also demonstrate how the proposed practices align with the goals and objectives of the grant program, and how they will contribute to the environmental, social, and economic sustainability of the agricultural sector.
      

Article 5: Process for Selection and Application

1. The Department shall establish guidelines for the grant program, including but not limited to:
   1. eligibility criteria;
   2. application procedures;
   3. evaluation criteria;
   4. reporting requirements;
   5. monitoring and compliance procedures.
2. The Department shall provide technical assistance to applicants in preparing their proposals and complying with the grant program guidelines.
3. The Department shall evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria:
   1. the quality and feasibility of the proposed circular agriculture or organic farming practices;
   2. the potential for environmental, social, and economic benefits;
   3. the potential for replication and scalability of the proposed practices;
   4. the potential for collaboration and partnerships with other stakeholders;
   5. the potential for educational and outreach activities to promote circular agriculture and organic farming practices.
      

PART III
SUPPORTING PROGRAMS FOR CIRCULAR AGRICULTURE AND ORGANIC FARMING

Article 6: Certification System

1. The Department shall establish a certification system for circular agriculture and organic farming practices, to ensure compliance with established standards and to promote consumer confidence in the products.
2. The certification system shall be administered by the Department, which shall be responsible for establishing the standards, conducting inspections and audits, and issuing certifications to eligible farmers and agricultural producers.
3. The standards for circular agriculture and organic farming practices shall be based on internationally recognized principles and guidelines.
4. The standards for circular agriculture and organic farming practices shall cover all aspects of agricultural production, including but not limited to soil management, crop rotation, pest and disease control, livestock management, feed production, waste management, water conservation, and energy use.
5. The Department shall establish a fee schedule for the certification services, based on the size and complexity of the operation, and shall provide financial assistance to small-scale and low-income farmers and agricultural producers to offset the costs of certification.
6. The Department shall conduct regular inspections and audits of certified operations, to ensure ongoing compliance with the standards, and shall provide technical assistance and training to help farmers and agricultural producers improve their practices and achieve certification.
7. The Department shall establish a public database of certified circular agriculture and organic farming operations, to promote transparency and accountability, and to help consumers and buyers identify and purchase these products.
   

Article 7: Labeling Scheme

1. The Department shall establish a labelling scheme for circular and organic products, to promote consumer awareness and understanding of the environmental and social benefits of these products.
2. The labelling scheme shall include clear and standardized labels that indicate the origin, production methods, and environmental and social credentials of the products.
3. The Department shall establish a certification system for circular agriculture and organic farming products, to ensure that the products meet established standards for environmental and social sustainability.
4. The certification system shall be based on internationally recognized standards, such as those established by accredited certifying bodies.
5. The Department shall provide technical assistance and training to farmers and agricultural producers who wish to participate in the certification system, to promote the adoption of sustainable practices and the production of high-quality circular and organic products.
6. The Department shall establish a database of certified circular and organic producers, which shall be publicly accessible and updated regularly.
7. The Department shall promote the use of certified circular and organic products in public procurement, by establishing government contracts for these products and by promoting the use of these products in public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and prisons.
8. The Department shall establish a labelling advisory board, which shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the labelling scheme, and for providing guidance and recommendations to the Department on ways to improve and enhance the scheme over time.
   

Article 8: Training Program

1. The Department shall establish a training and education program to promote the adoption of circular agriculture and organic farming practices among farmers and agricultural producers.
2. The training and education program shall include the following components:
   1. Workshops and seminars on the principles and practices of circular agriculture and organic farming, including topics such as soil health, water conservation, waste reduction, renewable energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility.
   2. On-site consultations and demonstrations to assist farmers and agricultural producers in implementing circular agriculture and organic farming practices, including site assessments, technical assistance, and follow-up support.
   3. Access to information resources, such as manuals, guides, videos, and online tools, to assist farmers and agricultural producers in learning about circular agriculture and organic farming practices.
3. The training and education program shall be administered by the Department, in collaboration with regional and local organizations, including agricultural colleges, extension services, farmer organizations, and community groups.
4. The Department shall establish performance metrics and evaluation criteria for the training and education program, to ensure that it is effective in promoting the adoption of circular agriculture and organic farming practices among farmers and agricultural producers.
5. The Department shall provide annual reports to the Cortes on the progress and outcomes of the training and education program, including the number and types of farmers and agricultural producers trained, the impact of the program on the adoption of circular agriculture and organic farming practices, and the effectiveness of the program in achieving its objectives.
   

Article 9: Tax Incentives

1. There shall be established a capital allowance for qualifying capital expenditure relating to circular agriculture and organic farming equipment, machinery, and buildings. This shall be set at an allowance of €50,000 per year.
2. The value-added tax for circular and organic products shall be reduced to 5%.
3. The Department shall establish guidelines for the tax incentives, including but not limited to:
   1. Eligibility criteria;
   2. Application procedures;
   3. Reporting requirements;
   4. Monitoring and compliance procedures.
      

Article 9: Tax Incentives

1. The Department shall establish a public procurement policy for circular agriculture and organic farming products, in consultation with relevant stakeholders such as farmers, producers, consumers, and environmental organizations.
2. The public procurement policy shall set targets for the percentage of circular agriculture and organic farming products that shall be purchased by government agencies and institutions, and shall establish guidelines for the procurement process, including but not limited to:
   1. criteria for selecting suppliers and products, based on sustainability, quality, price, and availability;
   2. requirements for labelling, certification, and traceability of the products, to ensure compliance with established standards and to provide transparency to consumers;
   3. procedures for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the policy, including periodic evaluations of the environmental and social impacts of the policy.
3. The public procurement policy shall be implemented through government contracts and tenders, which shall give priority to suppliers and products that meet the criteria established in the policy.
4. The Department shall provide technical assistance and guidance to government agencies and institutions in implementing the public procurement policy, and shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of the policy on a regular basis.
5. The Department shall report annually to the Cortes on the implementation and outcomes of the public procurement policy, including but not limited to:
   1. the percentage of circular agriculture and organic farming products purchased by government agencies and institutions;
   2. the environmental and social benefits generated by the policy, such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, improvements in soil and water quality, and support for local and small-scale producers;
   3. the challenges and opportunities identified in the implementation of the policy, and recommendations for future improvements.
      

PART IV
CLOSING PROVISIONS

Article 11: Appropriations

1. The Secretary of Trade and Industry shall allocate funds for the grant program from the Budget or any other source of funding determined by the Treasury.
   

Article 12: Reporting

1. The Department shall provide periodic reports to the Cortes on the implementation and outcomes of the grant program, including but not limited to:
   1. the number and types of grants awarded;
   2. the amount of funding allocated and disbursed;
   3. the progress and achievements of the grant recipients;
   4. the environmental, social, and economic benefits generated by the grant program;
   5. the lessons learned and best practices identified.
      

Article 13: Closing Provisions.

1. This act shall apply to all of the Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie.
2. This act shall not become law unless it has been given Royal Assent.
3. This act shall be published and made publicly available.
4. This act shall take effect on its approval.
5. If any provision of this act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the act, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.