Law suggests up to Dh1M fine for pesticide law violators
abu dhabi — A draft law passed by the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday suggests up to of Dh1 million fine for the violators of pesticide regulations in the country.
The amendment on the existing federal law concerning pesticides is aimed at regulating manufacturers, dealers, transporters, users and other stakeholders in the pesticide business. It stipulates the importance of ensuring the safety of people, animals and the environment when producing or using pesticides and their safe disposal and proper packaging for storage, distribution, importing or exporting them.
The amendment lays out penalties, including imprisonment for a period of not less than three months or a fine of not less than Dh100,000 and not exceeding Dh1 million, for violators of the law.
According to the Federal Law of 1992 Concerning Pesticides, “any one violating the law shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months and shall be levied a fine not less than Dh20,000 and not exceeding Dh100,000 or one of these punishments”.
The draft law specifies the scope of application of this law to those including agricultural pesticides and public health pesticides, which consist of either chemical, biological or organic pesticides.
Excluded from the law are pesticides imported by universities and research centres for use in the purposes of scientific research, or imported by establishments for the purpose of holding exhibitions, provided that they take the necessary safety measures and ensure that the pesticides are not circulated in the country. The FNC meeting also passed another draft law, that suggested amendments on some provisions on the law on diplomacy and consular procedures.
Member calls for comprehensive health insurance
During the meeting on Tuesday, an FNC member stressed on the need to introduce a comprehensive health insurance that covers all citizens so that they are able to receive treatment from any hospital in the country.
Saeed Rashid Al Abdi, FNC member from Ras Al Khaimah, told the meeting that the UAE was known for hosting the stateof the-art health facilities, the best in the region, and had become a medical tourism destination. “Unfortunately, there are a number of citizens who cannot benefit from these medical facilities. I wonder why it was taking so long to issue a law for a unified health insurance,” asked Al Abdi, adding that a statement from the ministry concerned, which had been released earlier, said the draft law on the health insurance for all citizens was to be passed in 2019.
The FNC member raised the question to Obaid bin Humaid Al
Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, about the reasons for the delay in issuing the draft law.
According to Al Abdi, in some emirates, citizens have local health insurance policies. “Many Emiratis, especially those in the northern emirates, are not covered by health insurance and this makes it hard for them to get the necessary treatment,” he pointed out.
“Some citizens cannot receive treatment in private hospitals or clinics because they are not covered by health insurance and don’t have the money to pay.”
Al Abdi noted that with a comprehensive health insurance in place, it will guarantee health services to all citizens in all hospitals across the country.
Al Tayer said the Ministry of Finance had, in January this year, completed preparing the draft federal law on health insurance for citizens. He added that it has been taken to the technical committee for legislations for review before it is issued later this year as per the procedures.
“Upon approval of the law by the council of ministers, the Ministry of Finance will obtain additional funds to cover the costs for the health insurance project for citizens,” said Al Tayer.
Some citizens cannot receive treatment in private hospitals or clinics because they are not covered by health insurance and don’t have the money to pay.” Saeed Rashid Al Abdi, FNC member