Law No. 13.278 recognising aquaponics as a sustainable activity in the State of Mato Grosso.

This Law recognises aquaponics as a sustainable activity in the State of Mato Grosso and establishes a policy to encourage its development. The law promotes the sustainable integration of water resources in aquaculture and agriculture for the production and commercialisation of aquatic and agricultural products. It defines aquaponics as an integrated production system in which aquatic organisms and soil-free cultivated plants operate in a closed-loop water system, where fish waste provides nutrients for plants and the plants biologically filter the water before it is returned to the production tanks. The legislation formally classifies aquaponics as a low environmental-risk activity and recognises it as a non-consumptive use of water resources. The law further seeks to foster the adoption of aquaponics through a series of incentives for producers, including priority in obtaining and renewing water-use rights, preferential participation in the Food Acquisition Programme (PAA), a presumption of good faith in dealings with public authorities, and access to rural credit under favourable conditions. Responsibility for implementing, managing and monitoring the law is assigned to the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture (SEAF) in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Defence of Mato Grosso (INDEA/MT).