Regulation on utilization and protection of agricultural lands.

The Regulation provides principles and procedures for the protection and proper utilization of agricultural lands. Non-agricultural use of agricultural lands is determined by taking its classification, use and agricultural features into consideration and does not include the following: (i) productive, cultivated lands and irrigated lands (irrigation grades I, II, III, IV and rain feeding grades I, II); (ii) Lands presenting soil degradation due to drainage problems and salinity, but with the potential for rehabilitation; (iii) Lands that are totally degraded but that could endanger projects ongoing in the area or that could possibly endanger agricultural activities in adjacent lands; (iv)Irrigated agricultural lands cannot be used for non-agricultural purposes. The exceptions apply in case of the construction of roads and railroads: when building dams, excavating ponds and wells, or setting up power stations, facilities for waste treatment or the exploitation of oil and natural gas resources: when laying power transmission lines: when building traffic control and security stations, defence facilities, and airports. Permission to use irrigated agricultural lands shall be granted only when no other land parcels are available in the appointed area.

Repealed by: Regulation on agricultural land use and protection. (2005-03-25)