Federal Law No.3 of 2020 regulating strategic stocks of food commodities in the country. Country/Territory United Arab Emirates Document type Legislation Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Food & nutrition, General Keyword Food security Transport/storage Subsidy/incentive Risk assessment/management Hazards Data collection/reporting Geographical area Middle East, Near East and North Africa, Persian Gulf Entry into force notes This Law enters into force the day after its publication in the Official Gazette. Abstract This Law consisting of 13 articles applies to the registered providers and merchants and aims to ensure the presence of strategic stocks of food commodities in times of need. To this end, the tasks of the Ministry of Economy are (i) proposing policies, plans and programs related to strategic stocks of food commodities in coordination with the competent authority; (ii) coordinating with the joint economic committees of the commodity supplying countries; (iii) planning for the size and quantity of safety stocks and what is related to increasing the capacity of strategic stocks of food commodities in the event of increased demand; (iv) preparing reports, studies, statistics and economic evaluation regarding food commodities, estimating the volume of consumption, and determining the surplus and deficit; (v) preparing databases on the production and availability of food commodities in the country and countries of origin and following them up with suppliers; (vi) periodically reviewing with the competent authority to verify the outstanding balance of food commodities with the registered merchant; (vii) supervising the preparation of databases and electronic connectivity regarding warehouses and strategic stocks of food commodities and food commodity storage requirements; (viii) monitoring the compliance of registered suppliers and merchants with the regulations and instructions related to the implementation of the provisions of this Law.; (ix) defining and updating a list of food commodities; (x) determining the size of the strategic stock of food commodities and the percentage of safety stocks. The Ministry, after coordination with the competent authority, creates a register to register and classify suppliers and merchants. The Law deals also with (i) obligations of the provider and the registered merchant, such as maintain safety stocks, supply strategic stocks of food commodities upon request, ensure continuous monitoring of quantities, items and the status of strategic stocks of food commodities, distribute the strategic commodity stock in the event of emergencies, crises, or disasters, according to the distribution plans that are prepared by the authority in coordination with the competent authority; (ii) stores and storage conditions; (iii) incentives and facilities; and (iv) penalties. Full text Arabic