The third reading of the Agricultural Development Regulations imposes a maximum fine of RMB 3 million for piling up construction waste on farmland

The Legislative Yuan passed the "Amendments to Certain Articles of the Agricultural Development Ordinance" on the third reading this afternoon. (Photo by reporter Wang Yisong)

The Legislative Yuan passed the "Amendments to Certain Articles of the Agricultural Development Ordinance" on the third reading this afternoon. The third reading article stipulates, "Agricultural land shall maintain its agricultural production function. Except for natural materials that meet the purpose of agricultural use or improved materials suitable for agricultural production, agricultural land shall not be used for the storage, landfill or backfill of construction residual earthwork, waste or other harmful agricultural production materials."

Anyone who violates the above regulations will be fined not less than RMB 60,000 but not more than RMB 3 million by the competent authority of the target enterprise, their construction machinery and tools will be confiscated, and they shall be ordered to be removed, corrected and restored to suitability for agricultural production within a time limit. Those who fail to make corrections within the expiration date shall be punished successively until they are restored to a state suitable for agricultural production. If the improvement is not completed after successive punishments, the municipality or county (city) competent authority shall restore them to a state suitable for agricultural production; the costs shall be borne by the perpetrator.

As for the scope of natural disasters related to agricultural damage, the third reading of the article stipulates that "refers to typhoons, foehns, tornadoes, heavy rains, torrential rains, hail, cold snaps, droughts, earthquakes or other natural disasters designated by the central competent authority." "The items and amounts of cash assistance and low-interest loans will be reviewed annually by the central competent authority with reference to the production costs of the assistance projects."

Regarding the occupational disasters for farmers, the third reading of the article stipulates, "In order to maintain the health and stability of the agricultural labor force, the central competent authority shall prepare a budget and, in conjunction with the central health authority, conduct research, education, promotion and cooperation on the factors, prevention and treatment, research and development of equipment and protective gear for suspected occupational injuries and diseases in agriculture."