TONGA

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES EXPORT ACT 2002

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

PART 1- PRELIMINARY

1. Short title
2. Interpretation
3. Act binds the Crown

PART 2 - ADMINISTRATION

4. Minister is authorised to carry out Act
5. Restrictions on export of agricultural commodities
6. Notice of intention to export
7. Exporters and packers to comply with directions of an Inspector
8. Protection against claim

PART 3 - APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF INSPECTORS

9. Designation and duties of Inspectors
10. Inspectors shall certify

PART 4 - OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

11. Interfering with an Inspector is an offence
12. Offences of Inspectors
13. Offences and penalties

PART 5-MISCELLANEOUS

14. Regulations
15. Repeal and savings

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TONGA

AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES EXPORT ACT
No. 5 of 2002.

I assent,

HRH PRINCESS PILOLEVU TUITA,
29th October, 2002.

AN ACT
TO REGULATE THE EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES

[11th of July 2002.]

BE IT ENACTED by the King and Legislative Assembly of Tonga in the Legislature of the Kingdom as follows:

PART 1-PRELIMINARY

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Commodities Export Act 2002.

Interpretation

2. In this Act unless the context otherwise requires -

"agricultural commodity" means all species of fruit, vegetables, root crops, spices and other plant materials;

"Director" means the Director of Agriculture and Forestry;

"Inspector" means the Director, any person designated as an Inspector under this Act or any person designated as an Inspector under the Plant Quarantine Act (Cap 127);

"Minister" means the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry;

"plant material" means all materials of plant origin.

Act binds the Crown.

3. This Act shall bind the Crown.

PART 2 - ADMINISTRATION

Minister is authorised to carry out Act.

4. The Minister shall be responsible for administering this Act.

Restrictions on export of agricultural commodities.

5. (1) The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, declare that any agricultural commodity shall not be exported unless it has been examined and approved by an Inspector under this Act.

(2) No person shall export or attempt to export any agricultural commodity in relation to which the Minister has made an order under subsection (1) which has not been examined and approved by an Inspector.

Notice of intention to export.

6. (1) Every person who intends to export any agricultural commodity declared under this Act shall give written notice of such intention to the Director.

(2) Upon the receipt of a written notice the Director shall direct an inspection of the agricultural commodity.

(3) The Inspector shall record the result of his inspection on the written notice and shall sign the form and return it to the exporter.

Exporters and packers to com ply with directions of an Inspector.

7. Every exporter and packer of agricultural commodities shall comply with all lawful directions of an Inspector relating to the packing of any agricultural commodities for export.

Protection against claim.

8. The Government, and any Inspector, shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from the reasonable exercise of powers conferred by this Act.

PART 3 - APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF INSPECTORS

Designation and duties of Inspectors.

9. The Minister shall designate from the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, such Inspectors as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.

Inspectors shall certify.

10. (1) An Inspector shall certify any consignment of agricultural commodities which he is satisfied meets the requirements of any regulations made under the Act and which complies with the grade or quality standards of the importing country.

(2) An Inspector may, in the exercise of his duties under this Act -

(a) open or cause to be opened any package, case or container containing agricultural commodities intended for export;

(b) take samples for future examination from any agricultural commodities submitted to him and intended for export;

(c) close, fasten and seal any package, case or container containing agricultural commodities for export in accordance with the requirements of any regulations made under this Act;

(d) mark or label such package, case or container in accordance with the requirements of any regulations made under this Act to indicate that the contents of such package, case or container have been passed as suitable for export;

(e) prohibit the export of agricultural commodities which have not been packed for export in accordance with regulations made under this Act or which do not comply with the grade or quality standards of the importing country.

PART 4 - OFFENCES AND PENALTIES

Interfering with an Inspector is an offence.

11. Any person who -

(a) directly or indirectly obstructs, hinders, interrupts, threatens or assaults an Inspector or person assisting an Inspector in the performance of his duty commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $1000 or to both such imprisonment and fine;

(b) bribes or attempts to bribe an Inspector or person assisting an Inspector in the performance of his duty commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 years.

Offences of Inspectors.

12. Any Inspector who -

(a) accepts or solicits a bribe;

(b) wilfully causes damage to the goods of an exporter;

(c) deliberately issues to an exporter or his agent export documentation knowing that the commodity to which the documentation relates does not conform with any condition of this Act or of any regulation made under this Act or of any condition of the importing country;

(d) prepares false documentation relating to goods which are the subject of this Act or who alters export documentation with the intention of deceiving an exporter, his agent or the plant health authority in the importing country;

(e) deserts his duty or otherwise fails to properly discharge his duties,

commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 3 years.

Offences and penalties.

13. (1) Any person who-

(a) exports or attempts to export any agricultural commodity contrary to the provisions of any regulation made under the provisions of this Act;

(b) exports or attempts to export any prescribed agricultural commodity which has not been examined and approved by an Inspector;

(c) exports or attempts to export any agricultural commodity which has been harvested prior to the time during which harvesting of that agricultural commodity is permitted under any regulation made under the provisions of this Act;

(d) fails to comply with or acts in contravention of any order, direction, requirement or condition made, given or imposed by an Inspector in the performance of his duty,

commits an offence and on conviction shall be liable to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $1000 or to both such imprisonment and fine.

(2) Any person who commits an offence against this Act or any regulation made thereunder for which no penalty is provided shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment a period not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $1000 or to both such imprisonment and fine.

(3) The Fruit Export (Vanilla) Regulations 1993 and the Fruit Export (Buttercup Squash) Regulations 1993 shall remain in force insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act and shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made under this Act.

PART 5-MISCELLANEOUS

Regulations.

14. The Minister may, with the consent of Cabinet, make regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act and in particular to provide for the following-

(a) the manner in which any agricultural commodities are to be prepared, stored or packed for export;

(b) the registration, control, inspection and conditions of operation of places where agricultural commodities intended for export may be handled, stored or packed;

(c) the time and manner of harvesting, inspection, handling, shipping, transporting, possession or disposal of any agricultural commodity;

(d) the export, distribution or marketing of agricultural commodities;

(e) the appointment, powers and duties of Inspectors;

(f) the training and accreditation of Inspectors, growers and staff working in places where agricultural commodities intended for export may be handled, stored or packed;

(g) minimum standards of quality in respect of agricultural commodities for export;

(h) the materials, method of construction and dimensions of packages intended for use in the export of agricultural commodities;

(i) the marking and fastenings to be applied to packages, cases or containers containing agricultural commodities for export;

(j) any fees to be charged under this Act; and

(k) any other matter which is required or authorised to be prescribed.

Repeal and savings.

15. (1) The Fruits Export Act (Cap. 116) is hereby repealed.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) all subsidiary legislation made by virtue of the Fruit Export Act is hereby repealed.

Passed by the Legislative Assembly this 11th day of July, 2002.

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HA LAO KI
HE HU ATU KI TU'APULE'ANGA 'O E NGAAHI
KOLOA FAKANGOUE

FAKAHOKOHOKO 'O E NGAAHI KUPU

KUPU

KONGA 1-TALATEU

1. Hingoa nounou
2. 'Uhinga'i lea
3. Ha'i 'e he Lao 'a e Kalauni

KONGA 2 - PULE'I

4. Fakamafai'i 'a e Minisita ke fakahoko 'a e Lao
5. Ngaahi fakangatangata ki he hu atu 'o e koloa fakangoue
6. Fakaha 'o e teu hu atu ki tu'apule'anga
7. Ke fai pau 'a e kau hu koloa mo e kau fa'oaki ki he fakahinohino 'a e 'Inisipekita
8. Malu'i mei ha 'eke

KONGA 3 - FOKOTU'U MO E NGAAHI NGAUE 'A E
'INISIPEKITA

9. Vahe'i mo e fatongia 'o e kau 'Inisipekita
10. Pau ki he 'Inisipekita ke ne fakamo'oni'i

KONGA 4 - NGAAHI HIA MO E NGAAHI TAUTEA

11. Vahe'i mo e ngaahi fatongia 'o e kau 'Inisipekita
12. Hia 'a e kau 'Inisipekita
13. Ngaahi hia mo e tautea

KONGA 5 - NGAAHI ME'A KEHE

14. Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni
15. Lao fakapekia mo kei ngaue'aki

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TONGA

Fika 5 'o e 2002.

'Oku ou loto ki ai,

KO E LAO
KI HONO PULE'I 'A E HU KI TU'APULE'ANGA 'O E NGAAHI KOLOA FAKANGOUE

[11 'o Siulai 2002]

'OKU TU'UTU'UNI 'e he Tu'i mo e Fale Alea 'o Tonga 'i he Fakataha Alea 'o e Pule'anga 'o pehe:

KONGA 1-TALATEU

Hingoa nounou.

1. 'E ui 'a e Lao ni ko e Lao ki he Hu Atu ki Tu'apule'anga 'o e Koloa Fakangoue 2002.

'Uhinga'i Lea

2. 'I he Lao ni tukukehe 'o ka ha atu ha toe 'uhinga kehe 'i hono tu'unga'-

"koloa fakangoue" 'oku 'uhinga ki he ngaahi fa'ahinga kotoa 'o e fua'i'akau, ngaahi vesitapolo, 'akau foha, ngaahi sipaisi mo e ngaahi me'a kehe mei he 'akau';

"Talekita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Talekita 'o e Ngoue mo e Vaota;

"'Inisipekita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Talekita, pe ha taha pe kuo vahe'i ko ha 'Inisipekita 'i he Lao ni pe ha taha pe kuo vahe'i ko e 'Inisipekita 'i he Lao ki he Kolonitini 'o e 'Akau (Vahe 127);

"Minisita" 'oku 'uhinga ki he Minisita 'o e Ngoue mo e Vaota;

"me'a mei he 'akau" 'oku 'uhinga ki he me'a kotoa pe 'oku ma'u mei he 'akau.

Ha'i 'a he Lao ,a e Kalauni.

3. Kuo pau ke ha'i 'e he Lao ni 'a e Kalauni'.

KONGA 2 - PULE'I

Fakamafai'i 'a e Minisita ke faka-hoko 'a e Lao.

4. Kuo pau ko e fatongia is 'o e Minisita 'a hono pule'i 'o e Lao ni.

Ngaahi faka-ngatangata ki he hu atu'o e koloa fakangoue.

5. (1) 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i ha fanongonongo 'i he Kasete, ke ne fakaha kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke hu atu ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue tukukehe kapau kuo 'osi sivi mo fakangofua 'e ha 'Inisipekita 'i he Lao ni.

(2) Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke hu atu pe feinga ke hu atu 'e ha taha ki tu'apule'anga ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue 'a is kuo 'osi'oatu ki ai ha fakaha fakalao mei he Minisita 'i he kupu si'i (1) ka kuo te'eki ke sivi mo fakangofua 'e ha 'Inisipekita.

Fakaha 'o e teu hu atu ki tu'apule'anga.

6. (1) Ko e taha kotoa pe 'oku ne teu hu atu ki tu'apule'anga ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue kuo fakaha 'i he Lao ni kuo pau ke ne 'oatu ha fakaha tohi 'o e teu hu ki tu'apule'anga ki he Talekita.

(2) 'I hono ma'u 'o ha fakaha tohi kuo pau ke fekau 'e he Talekita ke fai hano sivi 'o e koloa fakangoue ko ia.

(3) Kuo pau ke lekooti 'e he 'Inisipekita 'a e ola 'o 'ene sivi 'i he fakaha tohi peakuo pau ke ne fakamo'oni 'i he foomu pea fakafoki is ki he taha hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga.

Ke fai pau 'a e kau hu koloa mo e kau fa'oaki ' ki he faka-hinohino 'a e 'Inisipekita.

7. Kuo pau ke fai pau 'a e kau hu koloa tu'apule'anga mo e kau fa'oaki koloa kotoa pe ki he ngaahi fakahinohino fakalao mei ha 'Inisipekita felave'i mo hono fa'o 'o ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue ke hu atu ki tu'apule'anga.

Malu'i mei he

8. Kuo pau 'e 'ikai ke mo'ua 'a e Pule'anga, mo ha 'Inisipekita ki ha mole 'eke pe maumau tupu mei hono fakahoko fakapotopoto 'o e ngaahi mafai 'i he Lao ni.

KONGA 3 - FOKOTU'U MO E NGAAHI NGAUE 'A E 'INISIPEKITA

Vahe'i mo e ngaahi fatongia 'o e kau 'Inisipekita.

9. Kuo pau ke fakanofo 'e he Minisita mei he kau ngaue 'a e Potungaue Ngoue mo e Vaota, ha kau 'Inisipekita 'oku fiema'u ki he ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni.

Pau ki he 'Inisipekita ke ne fakamo'oni'i.

10. (1) Kuo pau ke fakamo'oni'i 'e he 'Inisipekita hauta koloa fakangoue 'a is 'oku ne fiemalie 'oku muimui pau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni pea mo muimui pau ki he kalasi pe ko e tu'unga lelei 'oku fiema'u 'e he fonua to ne hu mai.

(2) 'E ngofua ki he 'Inisipekita, 'i hono fakahoko hono ngaahi fatongia 'i he Lao ni ke ne -

(a) fakaava pe fakatupu hano fakaava 'o ha kofukofu, puha pe koniteina 'oku 'i ai ha koloa fakangoue 'oku taumu'a ke hu atu ki tu'apule'anga;

(b) to'o ha ngaahi konga ke toe sivi'i mei ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue kuo 'oatu kiate is 'a is 'oku taumu'a ke hu atu ki tu'apule'anga;

(c) tapuni, fakama'u mo sila'i ha fa'ahinga kofukofu, puha pe koniteina 'oku 'i ai ha ngaahi koloa fakangoue ke hu atu ki tu'apule'anga 'o fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni;

(d) faka'ilonga'i pe fakahingoa 'a e kofukofu, puha pe koniteina ko is 'o fakatatau ki he ngaahi fiema'u 'i ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni ke fakamahino'i kuo 'osi paasi pea fe'unga ,a e me'a 'i loto 'i he kofukofu, puha pe koniteina ko is ke hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(e) tapui ke hu ki tu'apule'anga ha ngaahi koloa fakangoue 'oku te'eki ai fa'o ke hu atu ki tu'apule'anga 'o fakatatau ki he ngaahi tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni pe 'a is 'oku 'ikai muimui pau ki he kalasi pe ngaahi tu'unga lelei 'oku fiema'u 'e he fonua to ne hu mai.

KONGA 4 - NGAAHI HIA MO E NGAAHI TAUTEA

Ko e hia ke kaunoa 'i ha 'Inisipekita.

11. Ko ha taha 'oku -

(a) fakafe'atungia'i, fakafaingata'ia'i, ta'ofi, fakamanamana'i pe  taa'i hangatonu pe ta'efakahangatonu ha 'Inisipekita pe ko ha taha 'oku ne tokoni'i ha 'Inisipekita 'i hono fakahoko hono ngaahi fatongia 'oku ne fai ha hia pe kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'oka halaia ki he ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 2 pe tautea pa'anga 'o 'ikai toe laka hake 'i he $1000 pe ko e ngaue popula mo tautea pa'anga fakatou'osi;

(b) totongi kaka pe feinga ke totongi kaka ha 'Inisipekita pe ko ha taha 'oku ne tokoni'i ha 'Inisipekita 'i hono fakahoko hono ngaahi fatongia 'oku ne fai ha hia pe kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'oka halaia ki he ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 3.

Hia 'a e kau 'Inisipekita.

12. Ko ha 'Inisipekita 'oku ne -

(a) tali pe kole ha totongi kaka;

(b) fakatupu fakaloto kovi ha maumau ki he koloa 'a ha hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga;

(c) foaki 'i he 'ilo pau ki ha taha hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga pe ko hono fakafofonga ha tohi hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga ka 'oku ne 'ilo'i ko e koloa 'oku kau ki ai 'a e tohi ko is 'oku 'ikai ke ne muimui pau ki he tu'utu'uni 'a e Lao ni pe ko ha tu'utu'uni 'a e fonua to ne hu mai;

(d) fa'u ha tohi loi felave'i mo e ngaahi koloa 'oku taumu'a ki ai ,a e Lao ni pe liliu ha tohi hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga 'i he'ene loto ke kakaa'i ha taha hu koloa ki tu'apule'anga, ko hono fakafofonga' pe ko e ma'u mafai ki he mo'ui lelei 'o e 'akau 'i he fonua to ne hu mai;

(e) li'aki hono ngaahi fatongia pe 'ikai ke ne fakahoko lelei 'a hono ngaahi fatongia,

'oku ne fai ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'oka halaia ki he ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 3.

Ngaahi hia mo e tautea.

13. (1) Ko ha taha 'oku -

(a) ne hu pe feinga ke hu kitu'apule'anga ha koloa fakangoue 'o fepaki mo ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni;

(b) ne hu pe feinga ke hu ki tu'apule'anga ha koloa fakangoue ,a is 'oku te'eki ke sivi mo fakangofua 'e ha 'Inisipekita;

(c) ne hu pe feinga ke hu ki tu'apule'anga ha koloa fakangoue kuo to'o ki mu'a 'i he taimi 'oku fakangofua 'e ha tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i he Lao ni ki hono to'o 'o e ngoue ko ia;

(d) 'ikai ke ne muimui pau pe to ne fai ha ngaue 'o fepaki mo ha fa'ahinga tu'utu'uni, fakahinohino, fiema'u pe ha tu'unga kuo fakahoko, 'oatu pe hilifaki 'e ha 'Inisipekita 'i he'ene fakahoko hono fatongia;

'oku ne fakahoko ha hia pea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'oka halaia ki he ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he ta'u 'e 2 peko e tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai toe laka hake 'i he $1000 pe ko e ngaue popula mo tautea pa'anga fakatou'osi.

(2) Ko ha taha 'oku ne fai ha hia 'i he Lao ni pe ha tu'utu'uni kuo fa'u 'i ai 'a is 'oku 'ikai ke tu'utu'uni ki ai ha tautea kuo pau 'e ala mo'ua 'oka halaia ki he ngaue popula 'o 'ikai laka hake 'i he mahina 'e 12 pe ki ha tautea pa'anga 'e 'ikai toe laka hake 'i he $1000 peko e ngaue popula mo tautea pa'anga fakatou'osi.

KONGA 5 - NGAAHI ME'A KEHE

Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni.

14. 'E ngofua ki he Minisita, 'i he loto ki ai 'a e Kapineti, kefa'u ha ngaahi tu'utu'uni ke fakahoko 'a e ngaahi taumu'a 'o e Lao ni pea tautautefito ke tu'utu'uni fekau'aki mo e ngaahi me'a ko 'eni -

(a) founga ki hono teuteu'i,tauhi pe fa'oaki ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue ke hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(b) ko hono lesisita, pule'i, sivi'i mo e ngaahi tu'unga 'o hono fakalele 'o e ngaahi feitu'u 'oku ngaohi, tauhi pe fa'oaki ai ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue 'oku teu ke hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(c) ko e taimi mo e founga hono to'o, sivi, ngaohi, uta vaka, fetuku, ma'u pe ko hono faka'auha 'o ha fa'ahinga koloa fakangoue;

(d) ko hono hu ki tu'apule'anga, tufaki pe fakamaketi'i 'o e ngaahi koloa fakangoue;

(e) vahe'i, ngaahi mafai mo e ngaahi fatongia 'o e kau 'Inisipekita;

(f) ako'i mo e fakataukei'i 'a e kau 'Inisipekita mo ekau ngoue mo e kau ngaue 'i he ngaahi feitu'u 'e ngaohi, tauhi pe fa'oaki ai 'a e ngaahi koloa fakangoue 'oku teu hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(g) ngaahi tu'unga lelei si'isi'i taha 'o e ngaahi koloa fakangoue 'oku teu ke hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(h) ngaahi naunau, founga hono ngaohi mo e fotunga 'o e ngaahi kofukofu 'oku fakataumu'a ke faka'aonga ki hono hu atu 'o e koloa fakangoue ki tu'apule'anga;

(i) ngaahi faka'ilonga mo e ngaahi fakama'u ke 'ai ki he ngaahi kofukofu, ngaahi puha pe ngaahi koniteina 'oku fa'o ai 'a e ngaahi koloa fakangoue ke hu ki tu'apule'anga;

(j) ha fa'ahinga totongi 'e hilifaki 'i he Lao ni; mo

(k) ha fa'ahinga me'a kehe pe 'oku fiema'u pe fakamafai'i ke tu'utu'uni.

Lao fakapekia mo kei ngaue'aki.

15. (1) 'Oku fakapekia heni 'a e Lao ki he Fakahu Ki Tu'a 'o e Ngaahi Fua'i'akau (Vahe 116).

(2) Fakatatau ki he kupu si'i (3) 'oku fakapekia heni 'a e ngaahi Lao fakalahi kotoa pe na'e fa'u 'i he Lao ki he Fakahu Ki Tu'a 'o e Ngaahi Fua'i'akau.

(3) Ko e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni ki he Hu atu 'o e Fua'i'akau (Vanila) 1993 mo e Ngaahi Tu'utu'uni ki he Hu atu 'o e Fua'i'akau (Hina Patakapu) 1993 kuo pau 'e kei ngaue'aki 'i he me'a pe ko is 'e 'ikai ke fepaki ai mo e Lao ni pea kuo pau 'e lau kuo fa'u is 'i he Lao ni ki he ngaahi taumu'a kotoa pe.

Na'e tali 'e he Fale Alea 'i he 'aho ni 11 'o Siulai, 2002.

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