Central
Land resources in the agricultural sector, uniquely among developed countries, are nearly all state owned.
Central government is responsible for:
- Regulating the agricultural sector;
- Subsidies for producers;
- Strengthening rural settlements;
- Improving food safety;
- Guaranteeing prices and quotas;
- Consumer price controls;
- Free Trade Agreements;
- Central planning of agricultural industries;
- Promotion of agricultural exports;
- Research and development;
- Agricultural technologies for arid climates;
- Ensuring compliance with environmental standards;
- Combating land degradation;
For the agricultural sector, water consumption is a particular concern. Central government is responsible for water policies and legislation, including determining the price of water charges.
The Water Authority is a regulatory government institution that is in charge of issues such as water purification, sewage cost management and standardisation services.[1] The actual water pumping and supply at State level is carried out by a government monopoly called Mekorot.[2]
Local
Voluntary powers may include supporting local producers and information provision for citizens. Other than carrying out national policies under the direction of central government, no other competencies could be identified at the central level.
Responsible ministries/bodies Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Sources:
Agricultural Policy Reform in Israel, OCED, 2010
Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation, 2014
[1] Water Authority website, History, available at: http://www.water.gov.il/Hebrew/about-reshut-hamaim/Pages/History.aspx (HE).
[2] S. Flaut, ‘The Water Economy in Israel ‘, The Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (July 2000), pp. 3-5, available at: http://www.iasps.org/hebrew/policystudies/ps47heb.pdf (HE).
