LEGISLATION OVERVIEW
AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD ACT
The
Agricultural Service Board Act (ASB Act)
is legislation that provides for:
o
Establishment of ASBs
o
Establishment of advisory committees on agricultural matters
o
Transfers authority to enforce provincial legislation to ASBs
o
Allows ASBs to enter into an agreement with the Minister, making some of their ASB
activities cost-shared
ASBs are responsible for enforcing the:
o
Weed Control Act
o
Agricultural Pests Act
o
Soil Conservation Act
And to assist with the:
o
Animal Health Act
The
Act
outlines the duties of an ASB, how boards are to be established, membership of the
board and attendance. Members of the board must be familiar with agricultural concerns
and must be qualified to develop policies. Board members must also be able to act on
behalf of council with respect to agricultural matters.
The
Act
also requires that the ASB must present a summary of its activities annually to
council that contains the information council requires in the prescribed format.
All ASBs are required to hire a qualified agricultural fieldman who is appointed as a
municipal inspector under each of the
Acts
.
The agricultural fieldman is responsible for
carrying out programs related to the
Act
.
The
Act
also gives ASBs authority to take land under the control of the municipality in
situations where severe erosion or weed/pest infestation occurs and enforcement under
the other Acts has not been successful. Please contact the ASB Program Office for guidance
if you are considering putting land under supervision or under an order of reclamation.
Link to Act:
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/rsv13511
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link