S.L. 427.93 Art. 6Organic Farming Advisory Board. 6 [

(1) There shall be established an Organic Farming

Advisory Board, as appointed by the Minister, which shall consist of:

(a) the Director who shall act as ex officio, Chairperson;

(b) two officers from the Directorate, one of whom shall be appointed Deputy Chairman;

(c) one member from every control authority and control body;

(d) a certified organic operator; OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS

(e) two members from organisations directly involved in organic farming.

(2) The Director shall designate an officer from the Directorate to act as Secretary to the Board.

(3) The Board shall:

(a) regulate its own procedure as it deems fit;

(b) set up special sub-committees or invite technical experts as the Board may deem fit, for the purpose of dealing with matters requiring specialised knowledge or experience.

(4) A person shall not be eligible to be appointed as a member of the Board, or to continue to be a member of the Board, if such person:

(a) is a member of the House of Representatives; or

(b) is legally incapacitated; or

(c) has been declared bankrupt or has made a composition with his creditors; or

(d) has been convicted of:

(i) any crime affecting public trust; or

(ii) theft; or

(iii) fraud; or

(iv) knowingly receiving property obtained by theft or fraud; or

(v) any offence against the Act or any regulations made thereunder.

(5) The functions of the Board shall be:

(a) to advise the Minister on any matters with which these regulations are concerned and the formulation of policies in this regard;

(b) to monitor and regularly review the implementation, functioning or attainment, to the highest standards achievable, of the provisions and policies relevant to the organic sector;

(c) to ensure a high standard in the organic sector by addressing pertinent matters arising from the application of these regulations;

(d) to provide technical and scientific advice in the field of organic production and related issues, as the Minister may from time to time request;

(e) to initiate and participate in research, surveys, programmes, and other activities as may be deemed necessary by the Minister, for the attainment of the optimum level of S.L.427.93 OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS organic production and products;

(d) to perform any other function or duty and to exercise such further powers or responsibilities as the Minister may from time to time determine.

(6) The Board shall meet when convened by the Chairperson, of his own motion or upon request by any member of the Board, or in his absence, by the Deputy Chairperson.

(7) The Board shall prepare and present to the Minister by the 31st December of each year, a summary of the main outcomes of these meetings, and put forward proposals as to organic production and labelling in Malta for the following year.