Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-III§89 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Measures |
General environmental reference |
Services |
Relevant information
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The Competition Law sets out the basic objectives of protecting and promoting competition and maintaining a competitive market governed by market mechanisms. The Law does not apply to:
- some sectors which are covered by sector-specific legislation or regulations, including: (...) environmental services; (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-III§120 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Measures |
Intellectual property measures |
Other |
Relevant information
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(...) Under the Patent Law no patent or utility certificate may be issued for: plant varieties , animal species, or biological methods of producing plants or animals (with exceptions for microbiological methods and their products); (...)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§7 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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Since 2006, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) has been responsible for federal policies and preparing legislation on water security, food security, the protection of the environment, and biosecurity. The MOEW took over the functions and authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Federal Environment Agency, and the General Secretariat of Municipalities. The basic policy objective is to improve food security through trade and domestic production while respecting the environment and improving water efficiency. It has been reported that the UAE is preparing an agricultural policy document for 2015-2030 [2] which, at end-February 2016, was under preparation.
[2] Malek, C. (2015), "UAE's first agricultural policy to benefit farming sustainability and profitability", The National, 4 December. Viewed at: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/environment/uaes-first-agricultural-policy-to-benefit-farming-sustainability-and-profitability [January 2016].
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Keywords
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Environment
Bio
Natural resources
Sustainable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§8 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
Non-monetary support |
Agriculture |
Relevant information
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The MOEW (Ministry of Environment and Water) encourages the use of modern technology in agriculture, including modern irrigation and hydroponics in order to conserve water while it also provides extension services to farmers in order to increase productivity. Organic farming is encouraged to improve environmental and economic sustainability and reduce the use of chemical inputs.
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Keywords
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Conservation
Natural resources
Organic
Environment
Sustainable
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§9 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
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Agriculture |
Relevant information
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Since 2007, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has been responsible for developing agricultural policies in the emirate and the Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre (ADFSC) is responsible for implementing the policy. Under the Agriculture and Food Safety Policy of 2012 policies for agricultural production are focused on: efficient use of land and water; assistance to producers to ensure environmental and economically sustainable production; and improving animal and plant health, including through protection of genetic resources. The policy also sets out, in general terms, common agricultural policies for research and development, social support, control of inputs, animal welfare, extension and training services, and compliance measures.
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Keywords
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Natural resources
Environment
Sustainable
Genetic
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§16 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
Other measures |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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At the federal level, the Ministry of Environment and Water is responsible for developing policies and preparing legislation and the authorities in each emirate implement the policy and may have regulations applicable locally. The main focus of policy is sustainability through effort (restricted fishing seasons and reserve areas) and gear restrictions, and promoting aquaculture for both direct production and restocking. The UAE is a member of the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) which seeks to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources, as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture within its area of agreement. The UAE has signed but not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and it has neither signed nor ratified the UN Fish Stock Agreement, or the FAO Compliance Agreement.
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Keywords
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Sustainable
Fish
Conservation
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§17 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
General environmental reference |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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A comprehensive fisheries survey in 2002 noted a sharp decline in demersal catch and estimated that 71% of demersal species and 48% of pelagic species were overexploited. The decline has been attributed to both overfishing and degradation of the coast. In 2011, the GCC concluded a regional survey of demersal fish stocks in the region. When the results of this trawl survey were compared to the 2002 and 1978 surveys it was found that demersal stocks had declined by 88-94% from 1978 levels.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§19 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
Ban/Prohibition, Other environmental requirements |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The main legislation for fisheries is Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 [9] and Ministerial Resolution No. 302 of 2001 [10] which required each emirate to establish a fishing regulation committee with responsibility for issuing fishing licences to fishermen, maintaining a register and issuing licences for fishing vessels and fishing equipment. The Law also provides the legal basis for subsidiary legislation on effort, catch, and gear restrictions and explicitly prohibits:
• all kinds of trawling nets, bottom set nets, nets made from nylon, and drift nets (Article 26) and fishing with explosives or chemicals (Article 34); and
• capture of sea turtles, fishing for sea mammals, or, except for research and with official permission, extraction of oysters, sponges, or coral (Article 28).
[9] Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 regarding the Exploitation, Protection and Development of Living Aquatic Resources in the waters of the state of the United Arab Emirates. Viewed at: http://faolex.fao.org/ [January 2016].
[10] Ministerial Resolution No. 302 of 2001 issuing the Implementing Regulation for Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 on the exploitation, protection and development of living aquatic resources in the United Arab Emirates. Viewed at: http://faolex.fao.org/ (Arabic only) [January 2016].
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§21 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
Ban/Prohibition, Other environmental requirements |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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The MOEW (Ministry of Environment and Water) has issued several resolutions restricting fishing over the past few years, including:
• Cabinet Resolution No. 18 of 2012 which covers the administrative sanctions, penalties and fines that regulate activities related to the fishing industry;
• Ministerial Decree No. 372 of 2013 on a temporary ban on registration of new fishing boats;
• Ministerial Decree No. 706 of 2013 on new regulations on manufacturing, importing, and the use of traps (gargoor);
• Ministerial Decree No. 500 of 2014 which is intended to bring fishing and trading of sharks into line with CITES (according to the FAO, the UAE had been the eighth largest exporter of shark fins );
• Ministerial Resolution No. 501 of 2015 setting out effort restrictions for lethrinus nebulosus (spangled emperor) and siganus canaliculatus (white spotted spinefoot);
• Ministerial Resolution No. 656 of 2014 and Ministerial Decree No. 574 of 2015 restricting the use of fishing nets; and
• Ministerial Decree No. 580 of 2015, on the prevention of fishing, selling, and marketing of fish below the specified minimum lengths.
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Keywords
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/338/REV.1 |
S-IV§22 |
United Arab Emirates |
2016 |
Sectors |
Non-monetary support |
Fisheries |
Relevant information
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In addition to the production of fish and other seafood products, the focus of aquaculture is to support the rebuilding of wild stocks and the long-term future of fish capture. In 1984 the Marine Environment Research Department (MERD) was established in Umm al-Quwain which, inter alia, produces fingerlings of local species for release into coastal waters under sponsored governmental policy.
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Keywords
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Fish
Environment
Wildlife
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