# Law No. 6138 of November 8, 1974 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105659834](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659834) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6138-of-november-8-1974 ## Summary **Law No. 6138 of November 8, 1974** (Lei nº 6138/1974) is a Brazilian federal statute that establishes legal norms, definitions, and regulatory frameworks for the Ministry of Agriculture. Promulgated in Brasília during the presidency of Ernesto Geisel, the law addresses the registration, inspection (fiscalização), and trade obligations within the agricultural sector. As a formal written document, it functions as a manifestation of statutory law applicable to the jurisdiction of Brazil. ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 6138, de 8 de novembro de 1974 - **Entity Type:** Statute (Formal written document / Legal norm) - **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil) - **Date of Promulgation:** November 8, 1974 - **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil - **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Signed By:** Ernesto Geisel (President of Brazil) - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6138/1974 - **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-08;6138` - **Primary Subjects:** Regulamentation, Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil, Trade (Comércio), Register (Registro), Inspection (Fiscalização), Competency, Obligations, Time Limits (Prazo), and Legal Norms. - **Official URL:** Available at the Planalto government portal (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6138.htm`) - **WikiProject:** WikiProject Brazilian Laws ## FAQs **What is the primary purpose of Law No. 6138/1974?** The law functions as a regulatory statute focused on the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil. It provides definitions, sets time limits, and establishes the competencies and obligations regarding registration, trade, and inspection (fiscalização) within this sector. **Who approved and signed this law?** The statute was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and signed by President Ernesto Geisel on November 8, 1974. **What is the legal classification of this document?** It is classified as a "statute," which is a formal written document that creates law. It is a type of legal norm and serves as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system. **Where can the full text of the law be found?** The official text is available online at the Brazilian government's Planalto website and is indexed under the LexML Brazil identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-08;6138`. ## Why It Matters Law No. 6138/1974 is significant as a foundational statutory instrument from the 1970s that defined the operational and regulatory scope of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture. By codifying rules regarding "registration," "trade," and "inspection," it provided the legal certainty necessary for agricultural administration during a pivotal era of Brazil's economic development. As a **statute**, it represents the primary method through which government authority is exercised and recorded in Brazil. It ensures that legal mandates regarding agriculture—critical to Brazil's economy as the world's largest producer of commodities like sugarcane, coffee, and soybeans—are documented, accessible, and enforceable. Furthermore, its status as a public domain document ensures that citizens and legal professionals have unrestrained access to the laws that govern trade and industry standards. ## Notable For - **Regulatory Framework:** Establishing specific definitions, obligations, and time limits for the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil. - **Executive Authority:** Being a product of the Ernesto Geisel administration (1974–1979), reflecting the executive legislative activity of that period. - **Statutory Classification:** Serving as a distinct example of a "statute" (Statute), which is legally defined as a formal written document that creates law and has "legal norm" as one of its parts. - **Digital Accessibility:** Being fully indexed in the LexML system and available via the official government portal, ensuring transparency and adherence to the "edict of government doctrine" (public domain status). ## Body ### Definition and Classification Law No. 6138 of November 8, 1974, is an instance of a **statute**. In legal ontology, a statute is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." It is distinct from general legal acts as it is the formal, physical manifestation of statutory law. The law contains **legal norms** and is the result of **legislation**. As an official government edict in Brazil, the text is in the public domain, ensuring it is not subject to copyright restrictions. ### Provisions and Subject Matter The law structurally addresses several core administrative and legal concepts relevant to the Ministry of Agriculture. The specific subjects regulated by this statute include: * **Regulamentation (Regulamentação):** The act of regulating or putting laws into effect. * **Ministry of Agriculture:** The specific federal body to which the competencies and rules apply. * **Trade (Comércio):** Provisions related to the buying and selling of regulated goods. * **Register (Registro):** Requirements for official recording or licensing of entities or products. * **Inspection (Fiscalização):** The legal authority to supervise and enforce compliance. * **Competency (Competência):** The legal authority granted to specific bodies to act. * **Obligation (Obrigatoriedade):** Mandates that must be followed by the involved parties. * **Time Limit (Prazo):** Specific deadlines established for regulatory actions. * **Definition (Definição):** Clarity on legal terms used within the scope of the law. ### Historical and Political Context The statute was promulgated on **November 8, 1974**, in **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil. It was enacted during the presidency of **Ernesto Geisel**, who served as the head of the executive branch at the time. This period was characterized by military rule in Brazil (1964–1985), a context in which the executive branch wielded significant influence over legislative processes. The law was officially published by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. ### Jurisdiction and Language The law applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil** (officially the Federative Republic of Brazil), the largest country in South America. The official text is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**, the sole official language of the country. As a federal law, it applies to all states and territories within the Brazilian union, from the Amazon Basin to the Pampas of the south. ### Identification and Access The law is cataloged under the legal citation **Lei nº 6138/1974**. It is indexed in the **LexML Brazil** system with the URN (Uniform Resource Name) `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-08;6138`. This identifier allows for standardized reference across digital legal libraries. The full text is digitally accessible to the public via the official government website of the Presidency of the Republic at `https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6138.htm`. It is also tracked by **WikiProject Brazilian Laws** for editorial maintenance on knowledge platforms. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1974-11-08;6138) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6138&ano=1974&data=08/11/1974&ato=d08cXWq5kenRVT697)