Amendments aimed at tightening oversight and enforcement in Bahrain’s agricultural sector are on MPs’ table on Tuesday.
They will vote to refer changes to Decree-Law No 1 of 1985 Regulating Agricultural Lands to the public utilities and environment affairs committee for review.
The draft law was forwarded to Parliament by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, after approval by legal authorities, with the aim of strengthening protection of agricultural lands and speeding up action against violations.
According to the explanatory memorandum, the amendments seek to enhance the effectiveness of existing provisions by clearly defining the powers and competencies of the administrative authority responsible for agricultural oversight.
The move comes amid concerns over misuse of agricultural plots, unlicensed activities and delays in addressing violations that threaten Bahrain’s limited farmland and food security planning.
Authorities will be granted wider powers to detect and remove violations swiftly, suspend offending activities immediately where necessary, ensure compliance without lengthy procedures and protect agricultural infrastructure from misuse.
The draft retains and reinforces penalties under the existing law, including:
l Imprisonment of up to three months
l Fines of up to BD10,000 for violations of the law’s provisions
These penalties apply without prejudice to any civil liability arising from the damage caused by violations.
Meanwhile, a major amendment introduces a new provision granting certain ministry employees the status of judicial officers.
Staff assigned by the minister responsible for the agricultural sector, in co-ordination with the labour authorities, will be legally empowered to enter agricultural lands and sites for inspection, document violations and prepare official reports for prosecution.
However, entry into disputed or sensitive premises will require prior permission from the Public Prosecution.
The draft also introduces provisions allowing authorities to suspend violating activities immediately and compel offenders to rectify damage caused, particularly in urgent cases where delay could worsen harm to agricultural land.
Officials say this will allow swift intervention instead of waiting for prolonged legal steps while violations continue.
Meanwhile, MPs will also vote to refer a prisoners’ exchange agreement between Bahrain and Pakistan to the foreign affairs, defence and national security committee for review.
&uuid=(email))