Regional Act no. 21 of 2021. Provisions on agroecology, protection of biodiversity and Sicilian agricultural products and technological innovation in agriculture. Rules on maritime state-owned concessions.

This Act, consisting of 19 articles, in compliance with the Sicilian Statute, national and European law and implementing article 14 (a) of the Sicilian Statute, aims at increasing the minimum level of health and environmental protection ensured by the national law, and therefore provides for: the protection of human health, the natural environment, the biodiversity, the ecosystems and agricultural activities; the fight against desertification, hydrogeological risk and fires; the protection of Sicilian agricultural products and all related production sectors; an agro-forestry-pastoral model conforming to the criteria of agroecology; an efficient control and verification service in the agri-food sector. What is more, the Act enhances the transition towards a development model consistent with the European Green new Deal and implements programmes and plans concerning rural development.
The Act defines agroecology and precision agriculture, as an agricultural, forestry and livestock development strategy with modern techniques. Concerning measures to protect health, the ecosystem, the biodiversity and the quality of Sicilian agricultural products, the Act prohibits the use of biocides in parks and nature reserves, in the special protection and birds and wildlife conservation zones, in any other public place not intended for agricultural activity and provides for supervision on the use of toxic biocides and related sanctions. The Act provides also for activities to support the transition to agroecology, including: elaboration of risk plans linked to the application of the precautionary principle, training and educational courses for farmers and technical operators; consultancy for farms; information campaigns on health and environmental risks linked to the use of biocidal products; research and monitoring activities; food and health education programs in schools; the creation of biodistricts for spreading the principles of agroecology and of sustainable development model compatible with the needs of territories and agricultural communities.
The Act provides also for: controls and verifications in imports and productions of food intended for human or animal consumption; duties and characteristics of agroecological farms, including livestock and bee farms; production of renewable energy, saving of water resources, the adoption of systems for the recovery and reuse of wastewater and rainwater, the adoption of non-polluting waste disposal and treatment; measures and actions to prevent the introduction and diffusion in the regional territory of invasive alien species; measures to improve technical innovations in agriculture, including: protection of surface, marine and underground waters, support to the production of healthy, wholesome and high quality foods. Concerning state-owned maritime concessions, the Act provides rules for the reduction of disputes relating to the application of National Law.