SoiLEX - Soil related legal instruments and soil governance

All the legal instruments present on the platform have been obtained on the basis of FAOLEX and the EU Sol Wiki and validated by national experts to be relevant and up-to-date.

Each instrument can be searched by country profile or by soil-related keywords and includes a ranking system based on the relevance of the document to the selected keyword, the scope of the legislation, its nature and year. The ranking system facilitates the search and enables users to easily understand which documents are the most important for each search they make.

The information provided by the database allows users to have the complete document as well as a detailed summary of its content, focusing mainly on the purpose and specific objectives of the instrument.

Country

Soil erosion

Algeria

Programme d'Action National sur la lutte contre la Desertification. Date of text: 01-01-2003
(National)
Loi nş 84-12 du 23 juin 1984 portant régime général des foręts. Date of text: 23-06-1984
(National)
Plan National d’Actions pour l’Environnement et le Développement Durable (PNAE-DD). Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Argentina

Ley Nş 13.246 - Ley de arrendamientos rurales y aparcerías. Date of text: 08-09-1948
(National)
Ley Nş 8.318 - Ley de suelos. Date of text: 10-01-1990
(Entre Ríos)
Ley Nş 10.467 - Créase el "Plan Provincial Agroforestal". Date of text: 02-08-2017
(Córdoba)
Ley Nş 1.314 - Código Rural. Date of text: 07-07-2000
(Formosa)
Ley Nş 5.063 - Ley general de medio ambiente. Date of text: 14-07-1998
(Jujuy)
Ley Nş 7.070 - Ley de Protección del Medio Ambiente. Date of text: 17-01-2000
(Salta)
Ley Nş 229 - Ley de conservación de suelos y aprovechamiento de los recursos naturales. Date of text: 01-01-1961
(Santa Cruz)
Ley N° 2139/ 04 - Declaración de interés público del uso sustentable al recurso suelo. Date of text: 09-12-2004
(La Pampa)

Armenia

The Second National Environmental Action Programme. Date of text: 14-08-2008
(National)

Australia

Environmental Protection Act 1994 Date of text: 01-12-1994
(Queensland)
Native Vegetation Act 1991 Date of text: 18-04-1991
(South Australia)
Forest Practices Act 1985 Date of text: 23-05-1985
(Tasmania)
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 Date of text: 15-06-1994
(Victoria)
Conservation Forest and Lands Act 1987 Date of text: 19-05-1987
(Victoria)
Soil Conservation Act 1938. Date of text: 13-10-1938
(New South Wales)
Soil Conservation Act, 1986 (Act No. 37). Date of text: 05-09-1986
(Queensland)

Austria

Act concerning the safe discharge of mountain waters. Date of text: 30-06-1884
(National)
Waterworks Promotion Act 1985. Date of text: 01-01-1984
(National)
Burgenland Soil Protection Law Date of text: 18-06-1990
(Burgendland)
Soil Protection Law of lower Austria Date of text: 30-06-1988
(Lower Austria)
Soil Protection Law of Salzburg Date of text: 04-07-2001
(Salzburg)
Styria Agricultural Soil Protection Act Date of text: 02-06-1987
(Styria)
Soil Protection Law of upper Austria Date of text: 03-07-1991
(Upper Austria)
Austrian Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change Date of text: 01-01-2012
(National)
Federal Forest Law Date of text: 03-07-1975
(National)

Azerbaijan

Presidential Decree No. 1697 on approval of the Action Plan 2006-2013 to improve the ecological situation. Date of text: 28-09-2006
(National)
Land Code of the Azerbaijan Republic, 1991. Date of text: 12-02-1992
(National)
“Azerbaijan 2020: Look into the Future” Development Concept. Date of text: 01-01-2015
(National)

Bahamas

National Policy for the Adaptation to Climate Change. Date of text: 01-03-2005
(National)

Belgium

Decision on the Granting of Subsidies against Erosion, Floods and Mudslides. Date of text: 18-01-2007
(Wallonia)
Water Code Date of text: 03-03-2005
(Wallonia)
Agricultural Code Date of text: 27-03-2014
(Wallonia)
Climate Decree (1) (M.B. 10.03.2014). Date of text: 20-02-2014
(Wallonia)
Decree on the Management of Soils. Date of text: 01-03-2018
(Wallonia)
Environment Code. Date of text: 05-12-2008
(Wallonia)
Flood Risk Management Plans (2016-2021). Date of text: 26-02-2016
(Wallonia)
Territorial Development Code. Date of text: 01-06-2017
(Wallonia)
Plan for the Prevention of Floods and Their Effects on Flood Victims. Date of text: 09-01-2003
(Wallonia)
Decree on the Management and remediation of Soils Date of text: 23-03-2018
(Wallonia)
Decree on the General Provision on Environmental Policy Date of text: 05-04-1995
(Flanders)

Belize

Land Utilization Act. Date of text: 16-09-1981
(National)

Benin

Plan de gestion de la sécheresse 2019-2024. Date of text: 01-01-2019
(National)
Programme d'Action National de Lutte Contre la Desertification Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)
Note politique du Bénin sur les cibles et mesures neutralité de la dégradation des terres (NDT). Date of text: 01-08-2017
(National)

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

Ley Nş 1.122 - Ley de protección, rehabilitación y posterior conservación de tierras erosionadas. Date of text: 16-11-1989
(National)
Ley Nş 1.700 - Ley Forestal. Date of text: 12-06-1996
(National)
Decreto Supremo Nş 2.453 - Establece el mecanismo de recuperación de áreas de suelos agropecuarios degradados de pequeńas propiedades y propiedades comunitarias o colectivas. Date of text: 15/07/2015
(National)
Ley Nş 300 - Ley Marco de la Madre Tierra y Desarrollo Integral para Vivir Bien. Date of text: 15-10-2012
(National)

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Law on Water resources of the Republic of Srpska Date of text: 01-01-2006
(Br?ko District; Republika Srpska)

Botswana

Agricultural Resources Conservation Act (Chapter 35:06). Date of text: 30-12-1972
(National)

Brazil

Decree No. 77.775 regulating Law No. 6.225 on environmental plans for soil erosion prevention. Date of text: 08-06-1976
(National)
Law No. 6.225 establishing environmental plans for soil erosion prevention. Date of text: 14-07-1975
(National)
Resolution CONAMA No. 238 approving the National Policy for the Control of Desertification. Date of text: 22-12-1997
(National)
Law No. 13.153 of 30 July 2015 approving the National Policy to Fight Desertification and Mitigate the effects of Drought (CNDC) and creating the National Committee to Combat Desertification. Date of text: 30-07-2015
(National)
Law No. 16.316 establishing the State Policy to Fight and Prevent Desertification. Date of text: 28-08-2008
(Goiás)
Law No. 8.014/1984 providing for agricultural soil preservation within the State of Paraná. Date of text: 14-12-1984
(Paraná)

Bulgaria

Law for Preservation of the Agricultural Lands Date of text: 24-04-1996
(National)
National Action Programme for Sustainable Land Management and Combating Desertification Date of text: 01-06-2014
(National)
Regulation No. 26 for Reclamation of Damaged Terrains, Improvement of Low Productive Soils, Removal and Utilization of the Humus Layer Date of text: 22-10-1996
(National)
Spatial Planning Law Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)
Soil Act Date of text: 06-11-2007
(National)

Burkina Faso

Loi n°006-2013/AN portant Code de l’Environnement du Burkina Faso. Date of text: 02-04-2013
(National)

Burundi

Décret nş 100/086 portant réorganisation du ministčre de l'aménagement du territoire et de l'environnement. Date of text: 09-10-1998
(National)
Plan d’Action National d’Adaptation aux Changements Climatiques « PANA » Date of text: 01-01-2007
(National)
Programme d'Action National de Lutte Contre la Dégradation des Terres. Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)

Cabo Verde

Decree-Law No. 69/97 prohibiting sand extraction from beaches, dunes and inland waters. Date of text: 03-11-1997
(National)
Decree-Law no. 2/2002, of 21 January that prohibits the extraction and exploitation of sand in dunes, beaches and inland waters, along the coastal strip and in the territorial sea. Date of text: 21-01-2002
(National)
Law No. 48/V/98 regulating forestry activity. Date of text: 06-04-1998
(National)
Resolution no. 14/2005 ruling on the Environmental Action Plan from 2004 to 2014. Date of text: 25-04-2005
(National)

Cambodia

National Environment Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP) 2016-2023. Date of text: 01-01-2017
(National)

Canada

Northern Pipeline Socio-Economic and Environmental Terms and Conditions for Northern British Columbia (SI/81-22). Date of text: 01-01-1981
(National)
Northern Pipeline Socio-Economic and Environmental Terms and Conditions for Southern British Columbia (SI/80-128). Date of text: 01-01-1980
(National)
Northern Pipeline Socio-Economic and Environmental Terms and Conditions for the Province of Alberta (SI/80-127). Date of text: 01-01-1980
(National)
Northern Pipeline Socio-Economic and Environmental Terms and Conditions for the Province of Saskatchewan (SI/81-23). Date of text: 01-01-1981
(National)
Northern Pipeline Socio-Economic and Environmental Terms and Conditions for the Swift River Portion of the Pipeline in the Province of British Columbia (SI/81-21). Date of text: 01-01-1981
(National)
Agricultural Service Board Act (RSA 2000, c. A-10). Date of text: 01-01-1980
(Alberta)
Soil Conservation Act (RSA 2000, c. S-15). Date of text: 01-01-1988
(Alberta)
Agricultural Crop Rotation Act (R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. A-8.01). Date of text: 01-01-1988
(Prince Edward Island)
Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010 (S.S. 2010, c. E-10.22). Date of text: 01-01-2010
(Saskatchewan)
Water Security Agency Act (S.S. 2005, c. W-8.1). Date of text: 01-01-2005
(Saskatchewan)
The Water Rights Act (C.C.S.M c. W80) Date of text: 01-01-1999
(Manitoba)
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. P-17). Date of text: 01-01-1985
(National)
Land Rehabilitation Act (C.C.S.M. c. L50). Date of text: 01-01-1996
(Manitoba)
Soil Conservation Notice Regulation (Alta Reg. 272/98) Date of text: 01/01/1998
(Alberta)
Private Managed Forest Land Council Regulation, 2007 (B.C. Reg. 182/2007). Date of text: 20-06-2007
(British Columbia)
Mining Act (S.N.B. 1985, c. M-14.1). Date of text: 27-06-1985
(New Brunswick)
Mining Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. M.14) Date of text: 01-01-1990
(Ontario)
Irrigation Regulations (R.R.S. c. I-14.2 Reg. 1). Date of text: 27-03-2020
(Saskatchewan)

Central African Republic

Ordonnance nş 69-38 portant interdiction de défricher les pentes menacées par l'érosion de certains bassins versants sis ŕ proximité et en dehors du périmčtre urbain de Bangui. Date of text: 04-07-1969
(National)

Chile

Decreto Ley Nş 701 - Fomento forestal. Date of text: 01-01-1974
(National)
Ley Nş 18.450 - Normas para el fomento de la inversión privada en obras de riego y drenaje. Date of text: 22-10-1985
(National)
Decreto Nş 52 - Modifica el Decreto Nş 193, Reglamento General del Decreto Nş 701 de 1974, sobre fomento forestal. Date of text: 07-02-2001
(National)
Ley Nş 19.561 - Modifica el Decreto Ley Nş 701 sobre fomento forestal. Date of text: 09-04-1998
(National)

China

Law of the People's Republic of China on Desert Prevention and Transformation. Date of text: 31-08-2001
(National)
Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on Conservation of Water and Soil. Date of text: 26-02-1997
(National)
The Decree No. 120 of the State Council promulgating the Implementing Regulations of the Water and Soil Conservation Law of the People’s Republic of China. Date of text: 01-08-1993
(National)
Water and Soil Conservation Regulation of Guizhou Province of the People’s Republic of China. Date of text: 29-11-2012
(Guizhou)
Administrative Measures for collection and use of compensation fees for water and soil conservation. Date of text: 29-01-2014
(National)
Grassland Law of the People's Republic of China 2002 (Order of the President No.82). Date of text: 18-06-1985
(National)
Water and Soil Conservation Regulation of Fujian Province. Date of text: 22-05-2014
(Fujian)
Measures of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for the implementation of the Water and Soil Conservation Law of the People's Republic of China. Date of text: 02-04-1994
(Guangxi)

Colombia

Resolución Nş 1.083 - Uso de fibras naturales en obras, proyectos o actividades objeto de licencia ambiental. Date of text: 04-10-1996
(National)
Plan de Acción Nacional de Lucha contra la Desertificación y la Sequía en Colombia. Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)

Comoros

Plan d’Action National pour la Lutte Contre la Désertification aux Comores PAN/LCD. Date of text: 01-01-2013
(National)
Programme d’Action National d’Adaptation aux changements climatiques (PANA) Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)
Loi-cadre nş 94-018 relative ŕ l'environnement. Date of text: 22-06-1994
(National)

Congo

Programme d’Action National de Lutte Contre la Désertification. Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)

Costa Rica

Decreto Nş 29.375/MAG/MINAE/S/MOPT - Reglamento a la Ley sobre uso, manejo y conservación de suelos. Date of text: 08/12/1999
(National)
Ley Nş 7554 - Ley Orgánica del Medio Ambiente. Date of text: 04-10-1995
(National)
Ley Nş 1540 - Ley de conservación de los recursos naturales renovables. Date of text: 07-03-1953
(National)

Croatia

Agriculture Land Act Date of text: 22-03-2013
(National)
Forestry Act Date of text: 13-07-2018
(National)
Strategy on the spatial development of the Republic of Croatia. Date of text: 13-10-2017
(National)

Cuba

Decreto Nş 179 - Protección, uso y conservación de los suelos y sus contravenciones. Date of text: 02-02-1993
(National)

Cyprus

Côte d'Ivoire

Loi n° 2019-675 du 23 juillet 2019 portant code forestier. Date of text: 23-07-2019
(National)

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Strategie et Plan D'Action Nationaux de la Biodiversité (2016-2020) Date of text: 01-01-2016
(National)
Plan National D’investissement Agricole en RDC (PNIA) 2014-2020 Date of text: 01-01-2014
(National)

Denmark

Act on Agricultural Use of Fertilizers and on Plant Cover. Date of text: 02-04-2019
(National)
Law on Watercourses Date of text: 19-05-1992
(National)
Nature Protection Act Date of text: 03-01-1992
(National)

Djibouti

Programme d’Action National de Lutte contre la Désertification (PAN). Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Dominican Republic

Ley Nş 64/00 - General sobre Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. Date of text: 18-08-2000
(National)
Ley Nş 50/10 - Crea el Servicio Geológico Nacional como organismo autónomo adscrito a la Secretaría de Estado de Planificación, Economía y Desarrollo. Date of text: 18-03-2010
(National)
Decreto Nş 207/98 - Reglamento de la Ley Nş 146, Ley minera. Date of text: 03-06-1998
(National)

Ecuador

Acuerdo Nş 45 - Normas de la Autoridad Ambiental Nacional de Desertificación, Degradación de Tierras y Sequía. Date of text: 01-04-2014
(National)

Equatorial Guinea

Programa de Acción Nacional de Lucha contra la Deforestación y Degradación de Tierras en Guinea Ecuatorial (PAN/LCD). Date of text: 01-10-2015
(National)

Estonia

Estonian Environmental Strategy 2030 Date of text: 14-02-2007
(National)

Eswatini

Order by Ngwenyama in Libandla (No. 4 of 1954). Date of text: 17-11-1954
(National)

Ethiopia

Oromiya Regional National State Rural Land Administration and Use Regulation (No.151/2012). Date of text: 07-12-2012
(Oromia)
Environmental Policy of Ethiopia. Date of text: 02-04-1997
(National)
Afar National Regional State Rural Lands Administration and Use Proclamation No. 49/2009. Date of text: 03-06-2011
(Afar)
Oromia Rural Land Use and Administration Proclamation (No. 130 /2007). Date of text: 01-01-2007
(Oromia)
Rural Land Administration and Use Regulation (No. 66/2007). Date of text: 24-12-2007
(Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' Region)
Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional state Rural Land Administration and Utilization Proclamation (No. 110/2007). Date of text: 01-01-2007
(Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples' Region)
Benishangul Gumz Regional State Rural Land Administration and Use Proclamation No. 85/2010. Date of text: 01-02-2010
(Benishangul-Gumuz)
Afar National Regional State Rural Land Use and Administration Policy. Date of text: 01-06-2008
(Afar)

European Union

Fiji

Rural Land Use Policy for Fiji. Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)

Finland

Forest Act Date of text: 12-12-1996
(National)

France

Décret n° 2005-117 relatif ŕ la prévention de l'érosion et modifiant le code rural. Date of text: 07-02-2005
(National)
Code Forestier partie législative (nouveau). Date of text: 26-01-2012
(National)

Georgia

Order No 2-277 of 2005 of Minister of Agriculture of Georgia on Recommendation for Complex Measures for Protection of Soil from Erosion Date of text: 25-11-2005
(National)
First National Action Programme to Combat Desertification Date of text: 02-04-2003
(National)
Third National Environmental Action Programme of Georgia 2017-2021 Date of text: 22-05-2018
(National)

Germany

Federal Nature Conservation Act Date of text: 29-07-2009
(National)
Federal Soil Protection Act Date of text: 17-03-1998
(National)
Federal Water Act Date of text: 31-07-2009
(National)

Ghana

Ghana – Vision 2020. Date of text: 06-01-1995
(National)
National Environmental Policy. Date of text: 01-01-2012
(National)
Land Planning and Soil Conservation Act. Date of text: 11-08-1953
(National)
National Action Programme to Combat Drought and Desertification. Date of text: 01-04-2002
(National)
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. Date of text: 01-11-2016
(National)

Greece

National Action Plan for Combating Desertification Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)
Law for the Protection of the Environment Date of text: 01-01-1986
(National)
Law on Conservation of Biodiversity Date of text: 29-03-2011
(National)

Grenada

Beach Protection Act (Cap. 29). Date of text: 24-08-1979
(National)
Aligned National Action Programme for Grenada’s Commitment under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought Date of text: 01-05-2015
(National)
National Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique 2017 – 2021. Date of text: 01-10-2017
(National)

Guam

Guam Soil Erosion and Sediment Control - Chapter 45 of Title 22 of the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations. Date of text: 01-01-1997
(National)
Guam Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations - Chapter 10 of Title 22 of the Guam Administrative Rules and Regulations. Date of text: 01-01-1997
(National)
Soil Water Conservation Programs - Article 5 of Chapter 63 of Title 5 CGA “Fish, Game, Forestry Conservation”. Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Guatemala

Programa nacional de lucha contra la degradación de tierras, la desertificación y la sequía. Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)

Guinea

Programme d’Action National de Lutte Contre la Désertification (PAN/LCD) Juin 2006. Date of text: 01/01/2006
(National)

Guinea-Bissau

National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management. Date of text: 01-06-2013
(National)

Guyana

Guyana National Forest Plan. Date of text: 01-01-2011
(National)

Haiti

Loi du 19 septembre 1958 protégeant le sol contre l'érosion, déterminant l'étendue des zones et réglementant l'exploitation forestičre en Haiti. Date of text: 19-09-1958
(National)

Honduras

Plan de Acción Nacional de Lucha Contra la Desertificación y Sequía (PAN-LCD) 2014-2022. Date of text: 01-01-2014
(National)

Hungary

National Framework Strategy on Sustainable Development 2012-2024. Date of text: 01-03-2012
(National)
Second National Climate Change Strategy (2014-2025). Date of text: 01-09-2013
(National)
Act No. CXXIX of 2007 on the protection of arable land. Date of text: 30-11-2007
(National)
Act No. LV of 1994 on Cultivated Soil. Date of text: 27-06-1994
(National)
Decree of the Ministry of Agriculture No. 90/2008. (VII. 18.) on detailed rules for drawing up the soil protection plan. Date of text: 01-01-2008
(National)
Fourth National Environmental Remediation Programme. Date of text: 01-01-2015
(National)

India

Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948 (Act XIV of 1948). Date of text: 27-04-1948
(Bihar; West Bengal)
Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth in Non-Forest Areas Act, 2005 (Act No. 46 of 2005). Date of text: 01-01-2005
(Kerala)
Kerala Land Development Act, 1964 (Act No. 17 of 1964). Date of text: 20-06-1964
(Kerala)

Indonesia

Law No. 37 of the Republic of Indonesia No. 37 of 2014 concerning Soil and Water Conservation. Date of text: 17-10-2014
(National)
Government Regulation of the R.I. No. 150 of 2000 on the Control of Soil Damage in Biomass Production. Date of text: 23-12-2000
(National)
Regulation of the Head of the Peatland Restoration Agency No. P.1/BRG-KB/2017 on Technical Guidelines for Government Assistance to Local Government or Community Management of the Peatland Restoration Agency. Date of text: 09-03-2017
(National)

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Amendment of the Regulation on Preparation and Combating the Harmful Effects of the Phenomenon of Dust in the Country. Date of text: 29-04-2012
(National)
Regulation on Combating Dust. Date of text: 16-07-2016
(National)
Law on Protection and Exploitation of Forests and Meadows. Date of text: 16-08-1967
(National)

Ireland

National Peatlands Strategy. Date of text: 01-01-2014
(National)
Coastal Protection Act, 1963 Date of text: 20-05-1963
(National)
Environmental Liability Regulations Date of text: 16-12-2008
(National)
Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes Regulations Date of text: 14-07-2004
(National)

Israel

Land Erosion Order (Prevention), 1941 Date of text: 01-01-1941
(National)
Sand Erosion Order. Date of text: 01-01-1922
(National)

Italy

Decree on Flood Risks Date of text: 23-02-2010
(National)

Jamaica

Forest Policy. Date of text: 01-04-2001
(National)

Jordan

National Environment Strategy for Jordan - A Resource Book of Information and Guidelines for Action. Date of text: 01-01-1991
(National)
National Strategy and Action Plan to Combat Desertification. Date of text: 01-01-2015
(National)
Soil Protection Regulation No. 25 of 2005. Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)
The Aligned National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Desertification in Jordan 2015-2020. Date of text: 01-01-2015
(National)

Kenya

Crop Production and Livestock (Sisal) Rules. Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)
Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act, 1999 (Cap. 387). Date of text: 01-01-2009
(National)
National Land Use Policy 2017. Date of text: 01-10-2017
(National)
Agriculture (Basic Land Usage) Rules (L.N.26/1965). Date of text: 01-01-1965
(National)
Coffee (Cultivation and Processing) Rules. Date of text: 01-01-1962
(National)
Agriculture (Sugar Settlement Organization) Rules (Cap. 318). Date of text: 01-01-1968
(National)
Agriculture Act (Cap. 318). Date of text: 01-07-1955
(National)
National Land Policy (Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2009). Date of text: 01-08-2009
(National)

Kiribati

Kiribati Integrated Environment Policy. Date of text: 01-06-2013
(National)

Kyrgyzstan

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Land Law (No. 04/NA). Date of text: 21/10/2003
(National)
Basic guiding manual on initial land and forest allocation in Luang Prabang Province for Leading Committee and Technical Staff. Date of text: 01-01-1995
(National)
Forestry Strategy to the Year 2020. Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)

Latvia

Order of Cabinet of Ministers No. 611 of 2015 on Forest and Related Sectors Development Guidelines 2015-2020. Date of text: 05-10-2015
(National)
Regulation Regarding Protection of Water and Soil from Pollution with Nitrates Caused by Agricultural Activity Date of text: 23-12-2014
(National)

Lebanon

Law No.444 of 2002 on environmental protection. Date of text: 29/07/2002
(National)
Law No. 9 of 1999 creating a protected area in the cedar forest of Tannoorin. Date of text: 20-02-1999
(National)

Lesotho

Lesotho National Action Programme in Natural Resource Management, Combating Desertification and Mitigating the Effects of Drought Date of text: 01-01-2013
(National)
Lesotho Vision 2020 Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Liberia

National Environmental Policy 2002. Date of text: 26-11-2002
(National)
Environment Protection and Management Law. Date of text: 26-11-2002
(National)

Lithuania

Law on Protected Areas Date of text: 09-11-1993
(National)
Law No. I-1495 “On environmental impact assessment of planned economic activities.”. Date of text: 15-08-1996
(National)
Law on Land Date of text: 26-04-1994
(National)
Governmental Decree No. 1244 validating State Control Regulation on Land Use. Date of text: 12-12-1994
(National)
Order No. D1-436 of the Minister of Environment validating General Regulation on municipal environmental monitoring. Date of text: 16-08-2004
(National)
Ruling No. 1128 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania validating the Regulation on monitoring of land resources use. Date of text: 21-10-2005
(National)

Luxembourg

Law on Water Date of text: 19-12-2008
(National)
Master Programme for Spatial Planning. Date of text: 27-03-2003
(National)

Madagascar

Plan d’Action National de la Lutte Contre la Désertification. Date of text: 01-01-1997
(National)
Programme Environnement III. Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)
Programme national de développement rural, 2008. Date of text: 01-01-2008
(National)
Décret nş 63-057 portant organisation de la direction des eaux et foręts et de la conservation des sols. Date of text: 30-01-1963
(National)

Malawi

National Action Programme for Malawi for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)
National Environmental Policy. Date of text: 01-06-2004
(National)
Environment Management Act, 2017 (No. 19 of 2017). Date of text: 30/04/2017
(National)

Malaysia

Land Conservation Act, 1960 (Act No. 3 of 1960). Date of text: 23-04-1960
(National)
National Environmental Policy 2002. Date of text: 02-10-2002
(National)

Malta

Nitrates Action Programme Malta Date of text: 01-01-2011
(National)
Strategic Plan for Environment and Development Date of text: 01-07-2015
(National)
National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy Date of text: 01-05-2012
(National)

Marshall Islands

Environmental Protection Authority Earth Moving Regulations. Date of text: 01-01-1989
(National)

Mexico

Aprueba el Programa Forestal y de Suelo 1995-2000. Date of text: 27-03-1996
(National)

Micronesia (Federated States of)

Earthmoving Regulations. Date of text: 11-07-1988
(National)
Resource Management Regulations. Date of text: 11-01-1994
(Kosrae)
Regulations for Earthmoving and Sedimentation Control (Title X, Chapter 1). Date of text: 09-11-1994
(Yap)

Mongolia

Soil Protection and Desertification Prevention Law. Date of text: 17/05/2012
(National)
Law on land. Date of text: 07-07-2002
(National)

Morocco

Le Programme d’Action National de Lutte Contre la Désertification 2001 Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)
Le Programme d’Action National de Lutte Contre la Désertification au Maroc. Date of text: 01-01-2013
(National)
Plan d’Action du Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Foręts et ŕ la Lutte Contre la Désertification. Date of text: 01-12-2007
(National)

Namibia

General Regulations made in terms of the Communal Land Reform Act. Date of text: 01-03-2003
(National)
Soil Conservation Act. Date of text: 13-06-1969
(National)

Nauru

Framework for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction. Date of text: 01/01/2015
(National)

Nepal

Soil and Watershed Conservation Act 1982. Date of text: 21-11-1982
(National)
Forestry Sector Policy. Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)
National Agricultural Policy, 2004. Date of text: 01-01-2004
(National)
Priority Framework for Action Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in Agriculture. Date of text: 01-04-2011
(National)

Netherlands (Kingdom of the)

Sixth Dutch Action Program concerning the Nitrates Directive (2018 - 2021). Date of text: 01-12-2017
(National)
Soil Protection Act Date of text: 03-07-1986
(National)

New Zealand

Resource Management Act 1991 (No. 69 of 1991). Date of text: 22-07-1991
(National)
Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Acts 1941 (No. 12 of 1941). Date of text: 29-09-1941
(National)

Nicaragua

Decreto Nş 1308 - Ley de protección de suelos y control de erosión (1983). Date of text: 29-08-1983
(National)

Niger

Plan Forestier National NIGER (2012-2021) Date of text: 01-01-2012
(National)
Programme d’Action National Pour l’Adaptation aux Changements Climatique Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)
Stratégie pour la sécurité et le développement des zones Sahélo-Sahariennes. Date of text: 01-01-2012
(National)

North Macedonia

Norway

Decree relative to incentives for alternative treatment of the soil. Date of text: 02-07-1999
(National)
Decree relative to investment incentives for environment enhancement measures (No. 558 of 1998). Date of text: 22-05-1998
(National)

Oman

Royal Decree No. 114/2001 issuing the Law on Conservation of Environment and Prevention of Pollution. Date of text: 14-11-2001
(National)

Pakistan

National Disaster Risk Management Framework Pakistan March 2007. Date of text: 01-03-2007
(National)
Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 (Punjab Act II of 1900). Date of text: 10-10-1900
(Punjab)

Palau

Earthmoving Regulations (Chapter 2401-1). Date of text: 26-05-1996
(National)

Panama

Resolución Nş 153 - Guía de buenas prácticas ambientales para la construcción y ensanche de carreteras y la rehabilitación de caminos rurales. Date of text: 23-03-2007
(National)
Resolución Nş 4 - Procedimiento para la tramitación de solicitudes relacionadas con el ordenamiento territorial para el desarrollo urbano. Date of text: 20-01-2009
(National)
Resolución Nş 3 - Tarifas por los servicios técnicos para el manejo, uso y aprovechamiento de los recursos hídricos y edáficos. Date of text: 22-01-1998
(National)

Paraguay

Ley Nş 542/93 - Ley de los recursos forestales. Date of text: 23-03-1995
(National)
Ley Nş 970/96 – Que aprueba la Convención de las Naciones Unidas de Lucha contra la Desertificación, en los países efectados por la sequía grave o desertificación, en particular en África. Date of text: 07-11-1996
(National)

Peru

Decreto Supremo Nş 008-2016-MINAM ? Estrategia Nacional de Lucha contra la Desertificación y la Sequía 2016-2030. Date of text: 20/06/2016
(National)
Decreto Supremo Nş 056/00/AG - Declara en situación de urgencia reforestación y pasturas de alturas. Date of text: 27/09/2000
(National)
Decreto Supremo Nş 017-2009-AG ? Reglamento de calificación de tierras por su capacidad de uso mayor. Date of text: 01-09-2009
(National)

Philippines

Updated Philippine National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) 2010-2020. Date of text: 01-01-2010
(National)
Executive Order No. 116 reorganising the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Date of text: 30-01-1987
(National)
Presidential Decree No. 1152 - Philippine Environment Code. Date of text: 06-06-1977
(National)
DENR Administrative Order No. 96-40 on Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7942 known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995. Date of text: 19-12-1996
(National)

Poland

Law on Forests Date of text: 28-09-1991
(National)
National Spatial Development Concept 2030 (NSDC 2030). Date of text: 01-01-2012
(National)
Act on Protection of Agricultural and Forest Land Date of text: 03-02-1995
(National)
Act on Water Law Date of text: 18-07-2001
(National)

Portugal

National Ecological Reserve Date of text: 22-08-2008
(National)
National Forest Strategy Date of text: 11-12-2014
(National)
Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 78/2014 approving the New National Policy to Combat Desertification (PANCD). Date of text: 11-12-2014
(National)
National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity 2030 Date of text: 05-04-2018
(National)
Law on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks Date of text: 22'-10-2010
(National)
Law on the Protection of Water from Pollution Caused by the Use of Nitrates in Agriculture Date of text: 03-09-1997
(National)
Water Law Date of text: 29-12-2005
(National)

Republic of Moldova

Law No. 1041-XIV on forest reclamation of degraded land. Date of text: 04-12-2003
(National)
Order No. 79 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food industry validating the Requirements for the application of the System of conservative agriculture. Date of text: 05-04-2016
(National)
Government Decree No. 691 validating the Regulation on the conditions and the procedures for the performance of activities for land reclamation, protection, conservation and improvement of soil fertility. Date of text: 11-07-2018
(National)

Romania

Decision no. 445 of April 8, 2009 on assessing the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment. Date of text: 08-04-2009
(National)
Decision no. 447 of 10 April 2003 on the approval of methodological norms regarding the elaboration and content of natural risk maps in landslides and floods. Date of text: 10-04-2003
(National)
Emergency Ordinance no. 195 of 22 December 2005 on environmental protection. Date of text: 22-12-2005
(National)
Law no. 100 of 3 June 2010 on afforestation of degraded lands. Date of text: 03-06-2010
(National)

Russian Federation

Governmental Decree No. 1 validating the Regulation on state land supervision. Date of text: 02-01-2015
(National)
Regional Law No. 113-Z “On ensuring fertility of agricultural land”. Date of text: 29-12-2010
(Bryansk)
Regional Law No. 23-RZ “On land reclamation.” Date of text: 14-10-1996
(Kabardino-Balkaria)
Regional Law No. 172-ZO “On conservation of agricultural soil fertility through biologization”. Date of text: 30-06-2003
(Kirov)
Governmental Decree No. 800 validating the Regulation on recultivation and conservation of land. Date of text: 10-06-2018
(National)
Federal Law No. 4-FZ on land reclamation. Date of text: 10-01-1996
(National)

Rwanda

National Forestry Policy. Date of text: 01-01-2010
(National)
Loi n°48/2018 du 13/08/2018 sur l’environnement. Date of text: 13-08-2018
(National)
Politique Nationale Foncičre. Date of text: 01-01-2004
(National)

Saint Kitts and Nevis

National Conservation and Environment Protection Act, 1987 (Act No. 5). Date of text: 27-04-1987
(National)

Saint Lucia

Forest, Soil and Water Conservation (Declaration of Forest Reserves) Order (S.I. No. 53 of 1984). Date of text: 13-10-1984
(National)
Saint Lucia National Climate Change Adaptation Policy 2003. Date of text: 27-07-2003
(National)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Agriculture Act No. 23 of 1951. Date of text: 21-06-1951
(National)
Food and Nutrition Security Policy and Action Plan Date of text: 01-04-2014
(National)

Samoa

Lands, Surveys and Environment Act 1989. Date of text: 05-11-2015
(National)
National Adaptation Programme of Action of Samoa. Date of text: 01-01-2005
(National)

Saudi Arabia

Strategy and National Plan for Pastures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia until the year 2033. Date of text: 01-01-2013
(National)

Senegal

Loi nş 2001-01 portant Code de l'environnement. Date of text: 15-01-2001
(National)

Serbia

Forest Law Date of text: 01-01-2010
(National)
Water Law. Date of text: 31-07-1991
(National)

Seychelles

Agriculture Act, 1966 (Cap. 5). Date of text: 01-01-1976
(National)

Slovenia

Agricultural Land Act Date of text: 15-10-1996
(National)
Decree on conditions and restrictions for the implementation of activities and spatial interventions in areas endangered by floods and related erosion of inland waters and the sea. Date of text: 04-10-2008
(National)
Decree on the detailed content and manner of preparation of the water management plan. Date of text: 02-03-2006
(National)
Waters Act Date of text: 12-06-2002
(National)

Solomon Islands

National Adaptation Programmes of Action. Date of text: 01-11-2008
(National)
National Rural land Use Policy 2015-2020. Date of text: 01-04-2015
(National)

South Africa

Mountain Catchment Areas Act. Date of text: 23-09-1970
(National)
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act. Date of text: 21-04-1983
(National)
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act: Establishment of a Soil Conservation Scheme (G.N.R. No. 1047 of 1984). Date of text: 25-05-1984
(National)
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act: Regulations: Declared Weeds and Invader Plants (G.N.R. No. 1048 of 1984). Date of text: 25-05-1984
(National)
Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act: Establishment of a Flood Relief Scheme (G.N.R. No. 1046 of 1984). Date of text: 25-05-1984
(National)

Spain

Forestry Law Date of text: 21-11-2002
(National)
National Action Programme to Combat Desertification Date of text: 01-08-2008
(National)
Spanish Forestry Plan Date of text: 05-07-2002
(National)
Spanish Forestry Strategy Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Sri Lanka

Soil Conservation (Amendment) Act 1996 (No. 24 of 1996). Date of text: 27-08-1996
(National)

Sudan

Environmental Protection Act of 2001. Date of text: 05-06-2001
(National)
National Action Plan for the implementation of the Great Green Wall for the Sahel and Sahara Initiative (GGWSSI). Date of text: 01-09-2015
(National)

Sweden

Planning and Construction Act (SFS 2010:900). Date of text: 08-01-1987
(National)

Switzerland

Rčglement sur l'agroécologie (RAgrEco). Date of text: 15-12-2010
(Vaud)
Environment Protection Law – Basel-Landschaft. Date of text: 27-02-1991
(Basel-Landschaft)

Syrian Arab Republic

National Plan to Combat Desertification in the Syrian Arab Republic. Date of text: 01-01-1997
(National)

Thailand

Land Development Act, B.E 2526. Date of text: 01-10-1983
(National)

Trinidad and Tobago

Tunisia

Loi nş 95-70 relative ŕ la conservation des eaux et du sol. Date of text: 17-07-1995
(National)
Programme d’Action National de Lutte contre la Désertification 2000. Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)

Tuvalu

National Action Plan to Combat Land Degradation and Drought. Date of text: 01-07-2006
(National)

Türkiye

Instruction on controlling soil erosion. Date of text: 01-06-1998
(National)
Strategic Plan 2017–2021 of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. Date of text: 01-01-2017
(National)
Turkey’s National Action Program on Combating Desertification. Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)
Decree No. 2016/9620 on declaration of protected areas for specific meadows. Date of text: 12-12-2016
(National)
Law No. 5403 on Soil Preservation and Land Utilization. Date of text: 03-07-2005
(National)
National Environmental Action Plan 1999. Date of text: 01-01-1999
(National)
Notification No. 2016/9 on supporting producers joining the program regarding conservation of agricultural land. Date of text: 31-03-2016
(National)
Regulation on conservation, use and planning of agricultural land. Date of text: 09-12-2017
(National)
Regulation on forestation. Date of text: 28-11-1994
(National)
Strategic Plan of General Directorate of Forestry 2017-2021. Date of text: 01/12/1999
(National)
Turkish National Forestry Programme 2004-2023. Date of text: 21-10-2004
(National)
Land Degradation Neutrality National Report 2016 - 2030. Date of text: 01-09-2016
(National)

Uganda

National Land Use Policy. Date of text: 01-01-2006
(National)
Uganda Strategic Investment Framework for Sustainable Land Management 2010 - 2020. Date of text: 01-01-2010
(National)
National Environment (Mountainous and Hilly Areas Management) Regulations, 2000 (No. 3 of 2000). Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)
Guidelines on the management of hilly and mountainous areas. Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)
National Fertiliser Policy Date of text: 01-08-2016
(National)
National Environment Act, 2019 Date of text: 24/02/2019
(National)
Soil Conservation Measures and Guidelines. Date of text: 01-01-2000
(National)
Uganda Forestry Policy 2001. Date of text: 01-01-2001
(National)

Ukraine

Decree No. 320 of the Council of Ministers validating the Regulation on urgent measures for soil protection against wind and water erosion. Date of text: 16-05-1967
(National)
Decree No. 681 of the Cabinet of Ministers validating the Regulation on the modalities of carrying out environmental, agricultural, ecological, economic and erosion-preventive zoning. Date of text: 26-05-2004
(National)
Forest Code of Ukraine No. 3852-XII. Date of text: 21-01-1994
(National)
Law No. 8073-X Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses. Date of text: 07-12-1984
(National)
Order No. 283 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food validating the Regulation on the procedure of land conservation. Date of text: 26-04-2013
(National)
Law No. 858-IV on land use planning. Date of text: 22-05-2003
(National)
Order No. 725-r of the Cabinet of Ministers validating the Concept of agroforestry reclamation in Ukraine. Date of text: 18-09-2013
(National)
Order No. 1 of the State Committee of Land Resources validating the Regulation on the modalities of issue and cancellation of special permits for removal and transfer of the fertile soil layer of the plots of land. Date of text: 04-01-2005
(National)

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

UK Forestry Standard. Date of text: 01-01-2017
(National)
Safeguarding our Soils – A Strategy for England Date of text: 01-09-2009
(England)
The Scottish Soil Framework Date of text: 01-03-2009
(Scotland)

United Republic of Tanzania

Land (Conditions of Rights of Occupancy) Regulations, 2001 (L.N. No. 77 of 2001). Date of text: 03-05-2001
(National)
Ngorongoro Conservation Area Ordinance (No. 14 of 1959). Date of text: 01-01-1959
(National)
Agricultural Sector Development Programme. Date of text: 01-01-2016
(National)
National Environmental Policy 1997. Date of text: 01-12-1997
(National)

United States of America

Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2081) Date of text: 23-12-1985
(National)
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) Date of text: 03-12-2003
(National)
Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation (7 CFR 12.1-12.33). Date of text: 02-02-2012
(National)
Resource Conservation (16 USC Ch. 54). Date of text: 01-01-1981
(National)
Water Bank Act (16 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.) Date of text: 19-12-1970
(National)
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (P.L. 83-566). Date of text: 04-08-1954
(National)
Agricultural Act of 2014. Date of text: 13-01-2014
(National)
Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act of 1935 (16 USC Ch. 3B, §§590a-590q–3). Date of text: 22-05-2008
(National)
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.). Date of text: 01-01-1977
(National)
General Agricultural Laws (Florida Statutes: Title XXXV Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Industry; Chapter 604; ss. 604.001-604.60) Date of text: 01-01-1941
(Florida)
Soil and Water Conservation (Florida Statutes: Title XXXV Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Industry; Chapter 582; ss. 582.01-582.32) Date of text: 01-01-1941
(Florida)
Soil and Water Conservation (Agriculture Code: Title 7, Chapter 171). Date of text: 01-09-1981
(Texas)
Preservation of Farm and Forest Lands (Code of Virginia: Title 3.2. Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food; Chapter 2; secs. 3.2-200 through 3.2-206) Date of text: 01-01-1950
(Virginia)

Uruguay

Decreto Nş 405/008 – Uso responsable y sostenible de los suelos. Date of text: 21/08/2008
(National)
Decreto Nş 333/004 - Establece los criterios técnicos básicos a aplicar en el manejo y conservación de suelos y aguas. Date of text: 16-09-2004
(National)
Decreto Nş 404/001 - Reglamentario de la Ley Nş 16.858, que declara de interés general el riego con destino agrario, sin perjuicio de otros usos legítimos. Date of text: 11-10-2001
(National)
Ley Nş 15.239 - Declara de interés nacional el uso y la conservación de los suelos y de las aguas superficiales destinadas a fines agropecuarios. Date of text: 23-12-1981
(National)
Ley Nş 16.858 - Declara de interés general el riego con destino agrario, sin perjuicio de otros usos legítimos. Date of text: 03-09-1997
(National)
Ley Nş 18.564 - Díctanse normas relacionadas con la conservación, el uso y el manejo adecuado de los suelos y de las aguas. Date of text: 11-09-2009
(National)

Uzbekistan

Presidential Decree No. UP-5503 on Measures to further ensure food security of the country. Date of text: 16-01-2018
(National)
Presidential decree on Measures for effective use of land and water resources in agriculture" (UP 5742). Date of text: 17-06-2019
(National)
Presidential Resolution on Measures to improve the system of agrochemical analysis of soils in agriculture, increasing soil fertility of cultivated lands. Date of text: 18-06-2019
(National)

Vanuatu

Forest Policy 2013 – 2023. Date of text: 01-01-2013
(National)

Viet Nam

Decision No. 512/QD-TTg approving the master plan on socio-economic development of Cao Bang province through 2020, with a vision toward 2025. Date of text: 11-04-2014
(National)
Decision No. 204/2006/QD-TTg promulgating the national action program to combat desertification in the 2006-2010 period and orientations toward 2020. Date of text: 02-09-2006
(National)
Decision No. 775/QD-TTg approving the detailed master plan on radiation development and application in agriculture through 2020. Date of text: 02-06-2010
(National)
Law No. 33/2013/QH13 on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Date of text: 19-06-2013
(National)
Circular No. 34/2009/TT-BTNMT providing for the formulation, approval, examination and certification of environmental rehabilitation and restoration projects and making of deposits for environmental rehabilitation and restoration for mining activities. Date of text: 31-12-2009
(National)
Decision No. 319/QD-TTg approving the master plan on socio-economic development of Gia Lai province through 2020. Date of text: 16-03-2012
(National)
Decree No. 15/2017/ND-CP defining the functions, tasks and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Date of text: 17-02-2017
(National)

Yemen

Law No. 41 of 2006 amending some articles of Water Law No. 33 of 2002. 2006-12-28 Date of text: 28-12-2006
(National)
Water Law No. 33 of 2002 Date of text: 31-08-2002
(National)
Law No. 26 of 1995 on the environment protection. Date of text: 29/10/1995
(National)

Zambia

Zambia National Strategy to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Date of text: 01-01-2015
(National)

For additional legal and policy instruments related to natural resource management, food and agriculture, please visit FAOLEX here.