Agriculture Law (Title 3 of the Revised Liberian Code of Laws)

AN ACT ADOPTING A lIEW AGRlCUL~ LAW It is enacted by the Senate ond"Houso ot ROKroscntativos of tho Republio of tiberia. 111 Logisla.ture ASsanblo : Section 1. Titlo 2 of the Liberian Codo of Laws ot 1956, known as tho Agriculture Law, as nnonded tbrouf?h tho Fourth Rogulnr Sesston of the Forty-Bixth Legislature, 1S heroby repotllod, and there is enacted in lieu 'thereof a new Agriculturc Lawt 1;0 bo ti1;lo 3 ot tho Liberian Code of L~s Revised. Chapter 1. PLAUT AND ANn'u\L QUARl~Tm!I Short title. Purpose. Definitions. Authority and responsibilities of I~inister ~f Agrieul~. ~eno.lty for violation of chapter provisions. Shori; titlo. This ch~ptcr nay be cited ns "TheAilant and Aninal Quaran tine Act." Prior l~slation: 1956 Code 2:1; L. 1949. ch. XXXIX, 12; L. 1948 ~, ab. iX, t. I, A 1; L. 1937. ch. II, I 1. ft 1.2. Purpose. It sho.ll be tho purpoGe of this chnpto~ to prevent antr,y in'to Liberia of injurious plcnt and onino.l posts and 41so:1808 oxisting in foreign countries and to prevent tho sprond ot such posts ond diseases should they becone establishod in Liborin. PriorJ:iis1ntion: 1956 Code 2:2; L. 1949, ch. XDTX, B3i L. 19 9, ch. 11, t. II, 8 2. S 1.'. Definitions. ~s used in this chapter, "plants" shnl1 be construed to ncan living plant r.aterial of every description nnd "anino.ls" shull be construed to noan 0.11 non-hu=w.n nnioo.l 1ile. uhethor donesticatcd or uild• •Prior~sl~tion: 1956 Code 2:~;: L. 1949, ch. XXXIX. I 3, L. 1 9, ch. IX, t. II, 62; ~. 1937, ch. II, I 2. 2 B1.4. Autho£1,t:y and rosponsibilities of lIJu!i(tt.cr...o.t AP:ricul'turo~ The Minister or A~:i.cul:';ure is authorized and directed to c (a) PromulGato rens~ble rules and regulations pe~~­ ing to the inspection and con~l of the importation ot living plants and animals of every 6.~cri;p1:i.on IlDd in tm:3 fOrcl, as aro necessary in his opinion to pro1:ec't the agri culture and food supplies of the Republic from injurious plant and aniI:1o.1 pests and diseases existine; in foroign countrios. (b) Prohibit the importation into Liberia of plants or nnimoJ.s which are poisonous, noxious or which produce de10 torioUB druGs, or which nay be infested or infoctod ~ harm ful posts or diseuses or l7hich shall have been exposed to sueh pests or diseases within sixty days next beforo thoir exportation, except t11o.t nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting tho inportntion of such plants and animals for scientific, nodicnl, experimental or educational purposes subject to such rules and reGUlations as the Mini ster ~ay prescribe. (c) Provide, \Thon necessary, for tho destruction of plants and animals refused entry for non-eoriplinncc with rules and roG~ations prescribod under the authority of ~hi8 chapter. (d) Establish doncstie quarantines in defined areas When such action is deemed necessary in order to prevent tho spread of any post or disease potentially danf,erous to plants and animals wl-.ich r.:ny bocono estnblished vtithin tho Republic, by roculating or prohibitinG tho novo~ent into, throUGh or 3 ou"" of tho quarontinod aroas of any plcnt or onimnl c~ble of s»reading such pest or disease. (e) Provide for the destruction of any plants or animals (;ro\ving or living in Liberia which are found to bo infested or infoctud by injuriotm pests or diseasa, the sproad of uhich would seriously threaten the ~i­ culture and food supplies of the Republic. (:t) Seize, quarantino, treut, or apply other reme dial measures to destroy or othorwise dispose of in such reasonablo nnnnor ns he doems appropriate, any product or article of any churncter uhatovcr, or any ~enns of conVG yance, vthich is moving into or throUGh Liberia and uhich he has reason to believe is infested or infected by or contains any injurious plnnt or animal pests or disOQDOS or was infested or infected by or containod any such pests or diseases or was exposed to any such pests or diseasos, tw~in~ into consideration the nature of the pests or diseases and the necessity of such action to protect the ngriculture and food supplies of the Republic. (g) Compensnte the owners of any plnnts, animals, products, articles and tteans of conveyance destroyed pur suant to the provisions of subparaer3.phs (0) and (r) !'ron funds mado available out of the annual appropriations for tho I:inistr-J of .AGriculture, provided that tho presence of the injurious posts or diseases which ~ave rise to such destruction can be clearly established as not due to the cnrelessncss or neGli~~cnco of the Omlcrs. Such co:r.t.pensn tion shall be based upon the fair market value of ~ such plants, animals, products, articles or means ot conveyance ot the time of the destruction thereot. (h) Designate which of the ports ot entr7 Qnumora.tod in the Revenue and Pinance Lmr may be used for the importa tion of plants ODd animals. ( i) Appoint officinl plant and animal inspectors and ~ other insPectors considered nocessar'7 'to corrr out the purpose ot this ohapter. (3) Promulgate regulations requiring full regist1'o.'tion with tho Ministry of Agriculture ot n.ll sciontisn.,. scienti tic nssocio.tions, corpora:tions, companies, or ogonts 08 well o.s agents of foroign governments, entering Liboria tor 'the purpose ot colleoting scientific data concerning plants ODd animQls or plant and animo.l mnterinl and requiring them. to tUe with the Ministry copies ot all data obtained and samples ot all plant mo.terinl collected within the countr7. I Prior ~lation: 1956 Oode 2:4; L. 1949, ch. xtIIXJ.. 4; L. 19, Sh. lX, t. II, • ~; L. 19~7t en. II,B1~. ~ 1.5. Peno.ltz tor violation of Chapter provisiOns. lur7 person who shall violate ~ of the provisions ot th18 chaptor or the rulos and regulations promulgated thereunder, or who shnll forge, counterfeit, alter, detace or des'tro7 tJJrT appli cation, permit or certificate provided for in the rules and ro gulatioDS shall be subject to a fine up to 11,000.00 or iapriaon ment for not more than one year. In construing and onforcing tho provisions of this chapter ODd tho rules nnd rogulatiODS promulgated thereunder, the net or omission ot an;r officer t ngont or other person ncting tor or emplo,-cd by on;v ccrporntiOD, 5 firm, company, society, association or other organized group shnll in every ease bo deomed also to bo the net or omission ot the corporation, firm, company, society, association or other organized group, as well as that of tho person. s Prior~slation: 1956 Code 2:5; L. 1949, ch. nnx a5; .t. 1 9, ch. tx, t. III, 8 1; L. 1937, ch. II,Ir15, 17 (5). R2.1. Chapter 2. A.NIMAL HUSBANDRY Establishment of National Livestock Buroau. National artificial inseaination program. Policios and objectives of artificial inse.tnntion pr0 gram. Establishment of National Livestock Bureau. l'j)6 Code 2:22; L. 1953-54, ch. XI, The President is horeby authorized to creato and oS'1inblish a bureau within tho Ministry of /1.griculture to be nnmod "The National Livestock Bureau." Its function shnll be to provide necessary ndministrntion and coordination to the development ot tho animal husbandry resources of the Republic. Prior legislation: 13. 12.2. National artificial insemination progrpm. !Iiad Ministry of Agriculture is hereb,. authorized to institlIto a national campaign to increase livestock production by' the use of artificial insemination techniques and practices, to be carried out by the National Livestock Bureau to the fullest oxton1i within tho moans at its disposal. To th::.t end, the Minister shDJ.l esta blish regionnl centors where animals will be serviced under the artificial insemination program heroin authorized. Prior legislation: 1956 Code 2:20~ 23 (1st sent.)f 24; L. 1953=54, ch. n, Al,4 (1st sent.), 5 (last sent.). B 2.'. Policiesrnnd objoctiycp of,.artifieinl iDscmiDnti9Qrpresr~. The initi~l policies and primary objectives of the artificial 6 ticial 1nsoi1linntion program to be cnrriccl out ~ tho lfnt:l.onal Livestock Buroo.u Bhnll bo as follows: (0.) Establishing con1;ncts 1ri:th ins'tii1iutioDS o.l.rotl~ foail1or with artificial insominntion practicos in tropionl countrio8; (b) Dovolopment of 0. rogiont1l program whioh will 10D4 itsolf to tnking full ndvnntngo of tho sorvices ot the scientist and utilisntion of semon when fiO\'lD in under special refrigorn'tod con ditions; (0) Enforcing such sonit017 moasures through 'tihe votorinn rian service of tho Ministry of Agriculture tUI mCO' bo found nocea sor;y 'tio sus'tinin maximUlll health of mrlmnls ODd sate execution of the progrom; (d) Giring trnining in artificial insominntion 'tocbniquos and PrQctices t offering technical assistance to those ongtLgOc1 in livestock production and disscminnting kno1rlodgc ODd OocccptQD.CO ot tho artificial insomination program 'throughout tho countr,-. R Prior lc61g1Gtion: 1956 Code 2:23; L. 1953-54, ch.n, 4. Chnp'ter 3. l'R<>TmTION ABD DEVELOPJID'T ag AGmCULTURAL PRODUCTS B '.1. Dostruction of ptllm 1iroos on public ltmds forbidden. Bo person, except in o.ccordnnco with rogula'tiions proscribod b,. the Ministry ot Agricul1iuro in respect to their prosor\'Ution, shall unnocessoril,- remove from public londs, including land with in tribal resorves, or cut down, injure or destro7 t mq pnlm tree growing thereon. Any person who violo.tos this section or fo.i18 to comply with any rcgulc.tion mnde pursucnt thereto sbnll be subject to prosocution \mdor tho provisions ot the PODOl Lo.w relo.ting to the unlawful tclting, injuring or destruction of Govern mont propert,.. 7 Prior 1e~islation: 1956 Code 2:40; OBB 133, Public Domaiil, art I , Ii 4; !~1 Di~est, pt. I, Act to prevent destroying of palm trees, 2 Hub. 1509; Acts 1841, Act to prevent the destroying of palm trees, 2 Hub. 1433. Chapter 4. LrISCELLAI1EOUS Boundary posts to be erected on farm lands. Annual liational A~icultural Fair and Commercial Fair. Boundary posts to bo erected on farm lands. Every owner of land dt'voted to agriculture sho.lJi keep ~ected at the boundary corners of such land, posts made ot sub stantial and long lasting material, six inches square at the top, standing two teot above ground and planted ei~tlen inches deep or fashioned in accordance with such dimensional variations as shall be permitted under boundary carking rules promulgated by the ~inister of Agriculturo. Prior le~islation: 1956 Code 2:60; OBB 133, Public Domain, art• ~V, II 6; 1841 Di~est, pt. I, Act pertaining to lands and roserva~ions, apportionments and improvements ot the aame, II 7, 2 Hub. 1463; Com. L. (Sept. 1824), 2 Hub 1344, 1349, 1st. 14.,2. Annual National Araricul1;ural Fo.ir and COJ:D!lorcial. Fair. The Linister of A{;riculturo, wi1;h the approvnl ot the President, is hereby authorized and empo\lered to hold tm annual National AGI'icultural Fair ilhere exhibits :&lay be made of farm machinery, insecticides, lov-cost prefabricated farm housing and various a~icultU1"o.l products. Such tnirs, with the consent of the Einister ot Commerce, Industry and Transportation upon approval by the Presidont, may be held in conjunction with ono held under the sponsorship ot the kinistry of Cocmorce, Industry and Tro.nsporto.tion and to be known as the annual National Agri 8 0'l1tural and CommQ1'(rlal Ptdr. Prior logislation: 1.9~-58 BuPP. t" 2161; L. 1955-56, ch. IV, I 1. Section 2. This Act shnll truce effoC't 1,..edia'te17 upon publ1nA 'Sion 1.n hand-bills. Any law to the contrary no'tw11#hs'tnnding.