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印刷版

 

本有機農業促進法草案英文版

Law of the promotion for organic agriculture

 

 [Objective]

Article 1.   The law aims for the implementation of comprehensive measures regarding the promotion of organic agriculture, with the intention to develop organic agriculture, by laying out the basic idea of such promotion, clarifying the responsibilities of the State and local public entities, as well as stipulating basic matters concerning such measures.

 

 [Definition]

Article 2.  As used herein, the term “organic agriculture” signifies agriculture employing agricultural production methods that have reduced as much as possible the environmental burdens derived from agricultural production by, in essence, not using chemically synthesized fertilizers and pesticides, as well as genetic modification technologies.

 

[Basic idea]

Article 3.  Taking into consideration that the sustainable development of agriculture and the securing of agricultural production that is in harmony with the environment are vital, and that organic agriculture significantly increases the natural circulation function of agriculture (i.e. agricultural production activities both rely on the cycle of substances mediated by creatures in the natural world, while facilitating the cycle at the same time) and reduces the environmental burden derived from agricultural production, the promotion of organic agriculture shall be implemented with the intention to make it easier for farmers to engage in such agriculture.

2.  Taking into consideration that consumer demand for foodstuff has advanced and diversified, and that consumer demand for safe and quality agricultural products has grown, with organic agriculture being conducive to supplying agricultural products that meet such demand, the promotion of organic agriculture shall be implemented with the intention of making it possible for farmers and others parties concerned to proactively undertake the production, distribution and sale of agricultural products produced through organic methods, as well as for consumers to have better access to such products.

3.  Taking into consideration that it is important to foster consumer understanding of organic agriculture and organically produced products, the promotion of organic agriculture shall be implemented with the intention of facilitating the partnerships among farmers practicing organic agriculture (hereinafter referred to as “organic farmers”), other parties concerned and consumers.

4. The promotion of organic agriculture shall be implemented while respecting the autonomy of farmers and other parties concerned.

 

[Responsibilities of State and local public entities]

Article 4.  State and local public entities, in accordance with the basic idea stipulated in the previous article, assume responsibilities in formulating and implementing comprehensive measures regarding the promotion of organic agriculture.

2.  State and local public entities shall garner cooperation from farmers, other parties concerned and consumers when promoting organic agriculture.

 

 [Legislative and other actions]

Article 5.  The government shall take legislative or financial action, among other actions, to implement measures regarding the promotion of organic agriculture.

 

[Basic policy]

Article 6.  The minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall determine the basic policy for promoting organic agriculture (hereinafter referred to as “Basic Policy”).

2.  The Basic Policy shall include the following matters:

1) Basic matters regarding the promotion of organic agriculture

2) Matters regarding targets of the promotion and prevalence of organic agriculture

3) Matters regarding measures concerning the promotion of organic agriculture

4) Other matters necessary for promoting organic agriculture

3.  The minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall, when determining or altering the Basic Policy, discuss with the leaders of relevant administrative organizations and consult with the Ministry’s Council of Food, Agriculture and Rural Area Policies.

4.  When the Basic Policy is determined or altered, the minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries shall announce that without delay.

 

[Promotion plan]

Article 7.  Prefectural governments shall, in line with the Basic Policy, try to formulate plans concerning measures regarding the promotion of organic agriculture (referred to as “Promotion Plans” in the following clause).

2.  When their Promotion Plans are determined or altered, the Prefectural governments shall announce that without delay.

 

[Supporting organic farmers, among others]

Article 8.  State and local public entities shall take necessary measures to support organic farmers and those who intend to engage in organic agriculture.

 

[Facilitating technical development, etc.]

Article 9.  State and local public entities shall take necessary measures, including the improvement of research facilities and the provision of training and information for disseminating research results, for facilitating research and development of techniques regarding organic agriculture and disseminating the results.

 

[Fostering understanding and interest among consumers]

Article 10.  State and local public entities shall take necessary measures to deepen consumer understanding and interest in organic agriculture, including advertisement activities to disseminate knowledge regarding organic agriculture and enlighten the public.

 

[Fostering mutual understanding between organic farmers and consumers]

Article 11.  State and local public entities shall take necessary measures, including the encouragement of exchange between organic farmers and consumers, for fostering mutual understanding between the two parties.

 

[Implementing surveys]

Article 12.  State and local public entities shall carry out necessary surveys regarding the promotion of organic agriculture.

 

[Supporting activities to promote organic agriculture conducted by non-State and local public entities]

Article 13.  State and local public entities shall take necessary measures for supporting activities to promote organic agriculture conducted by those other than State and local public entities.

 

[State assistance to local public entities]

Article 14.  State entities, with regard to local public entities’ measures for promoting organic agriculture, may extend assistance, including the provision of necessary training and advice.

 

[Reflecting opinions of organic farmers, among others]

Article 15.  State and local public entities, when formulating measures to promote organic agriculture, shall take necessary measures so that opinions of organic farmers, other parties concerned and consumers will be reflected in the measures, such as providing them with opportunities to express their opinions concerning the measures.

 

Supplementary provisions

 

[Date of enforcement]

1.  This law will be put into effect as of the date of promulgation.

 

[Amendment to Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas]

2. The Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas (Heisei 11 [1999] law No. 106) shall be partially amended as follows:

“…and the Law for Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources (Heisei 12 [2000] law No. 116)” in Clause 3, Article 40 shall be revised to “…, the Law for Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources (Heisei 12 [2000] law No. 116) and the Law on Promotion of Organic Agriculture (Heisei 18 [2006] law No. ___)”

 

[Amendment to Law on Extending Subsidy for Stabilizing Management to Those Who Lead Agriculture]

3. The Law on Extending Subsidy for Stabilizing Management to Those Who Lead Agriculture (Heisei 18 [2006] law No. 88) shall be partially amended as follows:

The amended provision of Clause 3, Article 40 in Article 9 of the Supplementary Provisions shall be revised as follows:

“…, the Law on Extending Subsidy for Stabilizing Management to Those Who Lead Agriculture (Heisei 18 [2006] law No.88)” shall be added under “the Law for Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources (Heisei 12 [2000] law No. 116)” in Clause 3, Article 40.

 

Grounds

In order to implement comprehensive measures regarding the promotion of organic agriculture, with the intention to develop organic agriculture, it is necessary to lay out the basic idea of such promotion, clarify the responsibilities of the State and local public entities, as well as stipulate basic matters concerning such measures. On these grounds, I submit this bill.