Supreme Agricultural Council Law No.116 of 1970.

This Law consisting of 14 articles aims at creating the Supreme Agricultural Council, headed by the President of the Republic and the membership of the Ministers of Agrarian Reform, Agriculture and Irrigation, and the President of the General Union of Peasant Associations, to lead the agricultural sector in planning, direction and follow-up, which deals with among its various tasks what was covered by the functions of the Supreme Commission for Agrarian Reform (canceled by this Law at art.9). Duties and responsibilities of the Council are as follows (i) defining the agricultural policy and its objectives within the general goals established in the National Development Plan for the years 1970- 74 or other plans; (ii) establishing an integrated plan for agricultural development and the investment approaches, specifying the duties of the Ministries concerned with agricultural reform, agriculture and irrigation, and the method of its implementation; (iii) take the necessary measures to monitor and follow up the implementation of the projects and works of the plan and investment approaches; (iv) direct the agricultural activities in the private sector within the limits of the agricultural policy; (v) take any necessary measures or decisions to develop, protect and preserve agricultural production; and (vi) coordinate the interventions undertaken by the various departments, institutions and organizations related to the agricultural sector. Council decisions and instructions are binding on all concerned parties (art.7).