Federations of Agriculture Act

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Federations of Agriculture Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 1.

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

(a) "commodity group" means an organized body of producers of specific agricultural product or products;

(b) "Federation" means the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. 1992, c. 5, s. 2.

Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

3 The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, a body corporate, is continued. 1992, c. 5, s. 3.

Membership of Federation

4 The membership of the Federation consists of

(a) each person who was a member of the Federation immediately prior to the coming into force of this Act; and

(b) each person who becomes a member of the Federation according to the by-laws of the Federation,

as long as that person is a member. 1992, c. 5, s. 4.

Objects of Federation

5 The objects of the Federation are to

(a) formulate farm policies in consultation with its members;

(b) keep its members informed of the activities of the Federation and of other matters of interest or benefit to them;

(c) improve the farm and rural life of the Province;

(d) make representations to Government, Government committees of inquiry or departments of Government on matters of concern to farmers;

(e) promote any program that directly or indirectly benefits the economic position of farmers;

(f) take common action on any matter of interest and benefit to farmers;

(g) provide a co-ordinating function for commodity groups;

(h) co-operate with government in the development and delivery of assistance to the agricultural industry;

(i) initiate or develop programs with commodity groups that will enhance the future of the producers of the commodity groups concern;

(j) keep the general public informed on the state of agriculture and its importance to the economy. 1992, c. 5, s. 5.

Powers of Federation

6 The Federation may exercise such powers as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of its objects and, without respecting the generality of the foregoing, may

(a) acquire, hold, sell, lease, convey, mortgage, improve, enjoy or in any way deal with real or personal property;

(b) make by-laws for the regulation and conduct of the affairs of the Federation and for the carrying out of its objects. 1992, c. 5, s. 6.

Council of Leaders

7 (1) The affairs of the Federation shall be managed by a Council of Leaders in such number and with such officers as may be fixed by the by-laws of the Federation.

Remuneration and expenses

(2) The members of the Council of Leaders may be paid such remuneration and travelling expenses, incurred in the exercise of their duties, as determined at the annual meeting of the Federation from time to time.

Exemption from liability

(3) Each member of the Council of Leaders and each officer is exempt from personal liability for the debts, obligations or acts of the Federation as long as the member or officer does not contravene this Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 7.

Financial year of Federation

8 (1) The financial year of the Federation ends on such date as the Federation, by by-law, stipulates.

Annual meetings

(2) The Federation shall, not later than one hundred and twenty days after the end of each of its financial years, hold an annual meeting at such time and place as may be fixed by the Council of Leaders of the Federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 8.

County or regional federations of agriculture

9 (1) A county or regional federation of agriculture may be formed within a county or such other territory as may from time to time be designated by the Council of Leaders of the Federation.

Approval of by-laws

(2) The by-laws, or any amendments thereto, of a county or regional federation of agriculture shall be approved by the Council of Leaders of the Federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 9.

Membership of county or regional federation

10 (1) Each person authorized by the by-laws of a county or regional federation of agriculture may, upon payment of the required membership fee, become a member of the county or regional federation of agriculture.

Manner of voting

(2) No person may vote at a meeting of a county or regional federation of agriculture except in accordance with the by-laws of the county or regional federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 10.

Objects of county or regional federation

11 The objects of a county or regional federation of agriculture are to

(a) enable and encourage members to confer together for the exchange of information on matters relating to agriculture and to the welfare and progress of the county or region generally;

(b) improve the agriculture and rural life of the county or region;

(c) promote any program that directly or indirectly affects the economic position of the primary producer. 1992, c. 5, s. 11.

Powers of county or regional federation

12 A county or regional federation of agriculture is a body corporate and may exercise such powers as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of its objects, and, without respecting the generality of the foregoing, may

(a) acquire, hold, sell, convey, lease, mortgage, improve and enjoy or in any way deal with real or personal property;

(b) make by-laws for the regulation and conduct of the affairs of the federation and for the carrying out of its objects. 1992, c. 5, s. 12.

Executive committee of county or regional federation

13 (1) The affairs of every county or regional federation of agriculture shall be managed by an executive committee of such number and with such officers as may be fixed by the by-laws of the federation.

Exemption from liability

(2) Each member of an executive committee and each officer is exempt from personal liabilty for the debts, obligations or acts of the county or regional federation of agriculture unless the member or officer contravenes this Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 13.

Financial year of county or regional federation

14 (1) The financial year of a county or regional federation of agriculture ends on such date as the county or regional federation, by by-law, stipulates.

Annual meeting

(2) A county or regional federation of agriculture shall, not later than one hundred and twenty days after the end of each of its financial years, hold an annual meeting at such time and place as may be fixed by the executive committee of the county or regional federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 14.

Continuation of existing federations

15 Each county or regional federation of agriculture formed pursuant to the Agriculture and Marketing Act and in existence immediately prior to the coming into force of this Act is continued as a body corporate and this Act applies to that county or regional federation of agriculture as if that county or regional federation of agriculture were formed pursuant to this Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 15.

District federations of agriculture

16 (1) A district federation of agriculture may be organized for such district or districts within a county as may from time to time be designated by the executive committee of the county federation of agriculture.

Approval of by-laws

(2) The by-laws, or any amendments thereto, of a district federation of agriculture shall be approved by the executive committee of the county or regional federation of agriculture. 1992, c. 5, s. 16.

Membership of district federation

17 (1) Each person authorized by the by-laws of the district federation of agriculture may, upon payment of the required membership fee, become a member of a district federation of agriculture.

Manner of voting

(2) No person may vote at a meeting of a district federation of agriculture except in accordance with the by-laws of the district federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 17.

Objects of district federation

18 The objects of a district federation of agriculture are to

(a) enable and encourage members to confer together for the exchange of information on matters relating to agriculture and to the welfare and progress of the districts generally;

(b) improve the agriculture and rural life of the district; and

(c) promote any program that directly or indirectly affects the economic position of the primary producer. 1992, c. 5, s. 18.

Executive committee of district federation

19 (1) The affairs of a district federation of agriculture shall be managed by an executive committee of such number and with such officers as may be fixed by the by-laws of the federation.

Exemption from liability

(2) Each member of the executive committee and each officer is exempt form personal liability for the debts, obligations or acts of the district federation of agriculture as long as the member or officer does not contravene this Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 19.

Financial year of district federation

20 (1) The financial year of a district federation of agriculture ends on such date as the district federation, by by-law, stipulates.

Annual meetings

(2) A district federation of agriculture shall, not later than one hundred and twenty days after the end of each of its financial years, hold an annual meeting at such time and place as may be fixed by the executive committee of the federation. 1992, c. 5, s. 20.

Powers of district federation

21 A district federation of agriculture is a body corporate and may exercise such powers as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of its objects, and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing may

(a) acquire, hold, sell, lease, mortgage, improve, enjoy or in any way deal with real or personal property;

(b) make by-laws for the regulation and conduct of the affairs of the federation and for the carrying out of its objects. 1992, c. 5, s. 21.

Existing federations continued

22 Each district federation of agriculture formed pursuant to the Agriculture and Marketing Act and in existence immediately prior to the coming into force of this Act is hereby continued as a body corporate and this Act applies to that district federation of agriculture as if that district federation of agriculture had been formed pursuant to this Act. 1992, c. 5, s. 22.

Agriculture and Marketing Act amended

23 Clause (a) of Section 6, Section 19, the headings immediately preceding Section 23, Sections 23 to 28, the headings immediately preceding Section 29, Sections 29 to 35, the headings immediately preceding Section 36 and Sections 36 to 40 of Chapter 6 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Agriculture and Marketing Act, are repealed. 1992, c. 5, s. 23.