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Law No. LP237/2023 “On ecological production and labelling of ecological products”.

Country/Territory
Moldova, Republic of
Document type
Legislation
Date
2023
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Subject
Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Food & nutrition, Cultivated plants
Keyword
Ecological production/organic production Agricultural commodities Certification Processing/handling Genetically modified organism (GMO) International trade Basic legislation Packaging/labelling Nutrition Animal feed/feedstuffs Plant variety Plant production Genetic resources Biotechnology
Geographical area
CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), Eastern Europe, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, Landlocked Developing Nations
Entry into force notes
ЗАКОН № LP237/2023 от 31.07.2023 об экологическом производстве и этикетировании экологической продукции.
Abstract

This Law establishes the principles of ecological production and introduces rules for environmental production, corresponding certification and use of guidelines related to environmental production in labelling and advertising, as well as additional rules for additional checks in connection with production and labelling of environmental products. This Law applies to: (1) products of agricultural origin, including aquaculture and beekeeping products, listed as agricultural and food products approved by the Government, and products derived from the corresponding products, if they become or are to become the subject of production, preparation, labelling, distribution, placing on the market, import or export of: (a) live or unprocessed agricultural products, including seeds and other plant reproductive materials; (b) processed agricultural products for use as food; (c) animal feed; (2) other products that are in close connection with agriculture, which are or should be the subject of production, preparation, labelling, distribution, introduction to the market, import or export; and (3) any operator involved in the implementation of activities related to the specified products, at any stage of production, preparation and distribution. The organization of public catering by a public catering enterprise is not subject to this Law. The purpose of this Law is to ensure the sustainable development of ecological production, fair competition and the proper functioning of the internal market for ecological products, as well as ensuring consumer confidence in the relevant products. Ecological production has the following general objectives: (a) promoting environmental and climate protection; (b) long-term maintenance of soil fertility; (c) promoting increased levels of biodiversity; (d) prevention of environmental pollution; (e) promoting improved standards of animal welfare and meeting species-specific behavioral needs of animals; (f) encouraging short distribution channels and local production in different regions; (g) encouraging the conservation of rare animal species and/or endangered local populations thereof; (h) promoting the development of the supply of plant genetic material adapted to the special needs and purposes of organic agriculture; (i) promoting increased levels of biodiversity through the use of diverse plant genetic material, such as environmental heterogeneous material and ecological varieties suitable for organic production; and (j) promoting the development of ecological plant improvement activities in order to promote favorable economic prospects for the ecological sector. Ecological production is a sustainable management system based on the following general principles: (a) taking into account/compliance with the systems and cycles of nature, maintaining and improving the condition of soil, water and air, plant and animal health, and the balance between them; (b) conservation of elements of the natural landscape, such as natural heritage sites; (c) responsible use of energy and natural resources such as water, soil, organic matter and air; (d) produce a wide range of high-quality food and other agricultural and aquaculture products that meet consumer demand for goods produced using processes that are not harmful to the environment, human health, plant health or animal health and welfare; (e) ensuring the integrity of organic production at all stages of production, preparation and distribution of food and animal feed; (f) development and proper management of biological processes, based on ecological systems that use internal natural resources of the management system, using methods that: (1) use living organisms and mechanized production methods; (2) practice soil-based crop production and land-based livestock production or aquaculture in a manner consistent with the sustainable use of water resources; (3) exclude the use of GMOs, products made from GMOs, and products produced through GMOs, except for veterinary medicines; (4) based on risk assessment and the application of precautionary measures and preventive measures; and (g) limiting the use of external factors of production. The following products are used in ecological production and substances that comply with the requirements of regulations on plant protective means and fertilizers: (a) phytoprotectors, synergists and co-formulants as components of plant protection means; (b) excipients intended for mixing with preparations for plant protection. Ionizing radiation should not be used during processing of organic food or animal feed, as well as in the processing of raw materials used in the production of organic food or animal feed. Cloning of animals and artificial breeding of animals with induced polyploidy is prohibited. In case of prepackaged foods, the packaging must also present the national mark “Ecological Agriculture – Republic Moldova”. When using the national mark for ecological production "Ecological Agriculture - Republic of Moldova" in the same field of vision as this sign must be indicated the place where was grown agricultural raw material of which the product is composed, depending on circumstances one of the following forms must be used: (a) “Ecological agriculture – Republic of Moldova”, if agricultural raw materials were grown on the territory of the Republic of Moldova; (b) “Ecological agriculture – outside the Republic of Moldova”, if the agricultural raw material was grown in countries other than the Republic of Moldova; and (c) “Ecological agriculture – Republic of Moldova/outside Republic of Moldova”, if part of the agricultural raw materials was grown in Republic of Moldova, and the other part in another country. The inspection body issues a certificate to any operator or group operators who have registered their activities as ecological production. This Law contains X Chapters divided into 43 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II establishes the principles of ecological production. Chapter III establishes production rules. Chapter IV regards labelling. Chapter V regards certification. Chapter VI regards supervision system. Chapter VII regards import and export of ecological products and products of conversion. Chapter VIII regards acknowledgement of inspection bodies and supervision over them. Chapter IX regards state policy in the field of ecological production. Chapter X lays down transitional and final provisions.

Full text
Russian/Romanian
Website
www.legis.md

References - Legislation

Repeals

Law No. 115-XVI on ecologic agricultural production.

Legislation | Moldova, Republic of | 2005

Keyword: Agricultural commodities, Food additives, Ecofriendly products/ecofriendly processes, Food quality control/food safety, Animal feed/feedstuffs, Drugs, Genetically modified organism (GMO), Animal health, Plant production, Planting material/seeds

Source: FAO, FAOLEX