Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources Act

THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES ACT 1977 Act 2/1977 Proclaimed by [Proclamation No. 4 of 1977] w.e.f 18th June 1977 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 1. Short title 2. Interpretation 3. The Board 4. Functions of the Board 5. Meetings of the Board 6. Appointment of committees 7. Technical experts 8. Expenses 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Board of Agriculture, Natural Resources Act. Amended by [Act No. 19 of 2002] 2. Interpretation In this Act "Board" means the Board of Agriculture and Natural Resources established by section 3; “committee” means a committee appointed under section 6; “member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman; “Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the subject of agriculture is assigned. Amended by [Act No. 19 of 2002] 3. The Board (1) There is established a Board of Agriculture, Natural Resources. (2) The Board shall consist of (a) the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as Chairman; (b) the Chief Agricultural Officer; (c) the Conservator of Forests; (d) a representative of the Minister of Finance; (e) a representative of the Minister of Housing, Lands and Town and Country Planning; (f) a representative of the Minister of Cooperatives and Cooperative Development; (g) a representative of the Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations; (h) a representative of the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute; (i) a representative of the University of Mauritius; (j) a representative of the Chamber of Agriculture; (k) a representative of the Mauritius Cooperative Agricultural Federation Ltd; (l) 2 representatives of small sugar cane planters and one representative of large sugar cane planters, appointed by the Minister after consultation with such organisations of planters as the Minister thinks fit; (m) 4 members of the Assembly appointed by the Minister. Amended by [Act No. 19 of 2002] (3) Every member specified in subsection (2) (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), and (m) shall – (a) hold and vacate office on such terms as the Minister may determine; (b) not be considered as holding a public office by virtue of his appointment. (4) The composition of the Board shall be published in the Gazette. 4. Functions of the Board The Board shall (a) advise the Minister on all matters of general policy relating to agriculture, forestry and the utilizations and preservation of natural resources and the environment; (b) enquire, and report to the Minister, on such specific matters, relating to the activities set out in paragraph (a), as the Minister may refer to the Board. 5. Meetings of the Board (1) The Chairman shall convene a meeting of the Board whenever required to do so writing by the Minister or by not less than one third of the members. (2) The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board, and in his absence from a meeting, the members present shall elect from among themselves a member to preside at that meeting. (3) The quorum of the Board shall be 8. (4) All acts, matters or things authorised or required to be done by the Board shall be decided by a simple majority of the members present and voting. (5) At a meeting of the Board, each member shall have one vote on the matter, question and, in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a casting (6) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the Board shall regulate its meetings such manner as it thinks fit. 6. Appointment of committees (1) The Minister may, on the advice of the Board, appoint such committees as he thinks fit to assist the Board in the performance of its functions under this Act. (2) A committee shall consist of such members as the Minister may determine. (3) Every committee shall, subject to such directions as the Minister or the Board may give, regulate its meetings in such manner as it thinks fit. 7. Technical experts (1) Where the Minister considers it necessary for the Board or a committee to have expert or technical advice on any matter, he may appoint a person for that purpose. (2) A person appointed under subsection (1) shall take part in proceedings of the Board or the committee, as the case may be, relating to the matter for which he was appointed, but he shall have no right to vote. 8. Expenses All administrative expenses required for the purposes of this Act shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. Related documents: