# Law No. 9712 of November 20, 1998

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105647777](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105647777)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-9712-of-november-20-1998

## Summary
Law No. 9712 of November 20, 1998, is a Brazilian federal statute that amends Law No. 8.171 of January 17, 1991. The law adds provisions related to agricultural and livestock defense, focusing on the composition, organization, objectives, criteria, and decision-making processes for this sector. It was promulgated by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 9712, de 20 de novembro de 1998
- **Type of Document:** Federal statute (instance of "statute")
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Publication Date:** November 20, 1998
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 9712/1998
- **Approving Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Promulgated by:** President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Applies to Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l9712.htm
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-11-20;9712
- **Primary Function:** Amends Law No. 8.171 of January 17, 1991, by adding provisions concerning agricultural and livestock defense.
- **Main Subjects Addressed:** Composition, decision-making, organization, goals, and criteria related to agricultural defense.
- **Wikimedia Project:** Included on the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## FAQs

**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 9712?**
Law No. 9712 was enacted to modify an existing agricultural law (Law No. 8.171/1991) by introducing new provisions specifically focused on agricultural and livestock defense. Its amendments address the composition, organization, objectives, criteria, and decision-making frameworks for protecting Brazil's agropecuarian sector.

**How does this law relate to other Brazilian legislation?**
This law is an amendment, meaning it directly changes another statute—in this case, Law No. 8.171 of 1991. It functions as a piece of federal statutory law within Brazil's larger legal system, created through the formal legislative process and promulgated by the president.

**Where can the full text of this law be found?**
The authentic text of Law No. 9712 is published in the official government gazette and is freely accessible online via the Planalto government portal (planalto.gov.br) and the LexML Brasil legislative system, ensuring public access to this official legal document.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 9712 matters because it strengthens the legal framework for defending Brazil's critically important agricultural sector. By amending a foundational agricultural law, it provides specific rules and structures for protecting livestock and crops, which are vital to the national economy and food security. This law exemplifies how the Brazilian government uses statutory instruments to update and refine policies governing key economic sectors, ensuring the legal system adapts to evolving needs. Its existence highlights the ongoing legislative effort to bolster the defenses of one of the world's largest agricultural producers against potential threats.

## Notable For
- **Specific Amendment:** It is notable for being a targeted amendment that adds specific provisions on agricultural and livestock defense to a broader pre-existing law.
- **Official Status:** As a federal statute, it carries the full force of law in Brazil and is part of the country's formal legal record.
- **Public Domain Access:** The law is an official public document, freely accessible online, reinforcing the principle of transparent governance.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
Law No. 9712 of November 20, 1998, is formally classified as a **statute**. A statute is defined as a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. This law is an instance of this foundational legal concept, serving as the official manifestation of a legal rule enacted by the Brazilian government.

### Content and Legal Purpose
The law's digest, or summary of its content, states that it "Altera a Lei nº 8.171, de 17 de janeiro de 1991, acrescentando-lhe dispositivos referentes à defesa agropecuária." This translates to amending Law No. 8.171 of 1991 by adding provisions related to agricultural and livestock defense. The main subjects addressed within the law, as indicated by its content, are:
- **Composition** (Composição)
- **Decision** (Fixação)
- **Organizing** (Organização)
- **Goal** (Objetivo)
- **Criterion** (Criterios)

### Promulgation and Publication
The law was **approved by** the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The act of promulgation was carried out by **President Fernando Henrique Cardoso** on November 20, 1998. The law was officially published on that same date in **Brasília**, the nation's capital. The official, citable text is available in **Brazilian Portuguese**.

### Jurisdiction and Accessibility
Law No. 9712 **applies to the jurisdiction** of Brazil, meaning it is effective across the entire federative republic. Its official text is hosted on the Brazilian government's website, ensuring public accessibility. The law is also cataloged in the **LexML Brasil** system, a platform for organizing Brazilian legislation with the unique identifier `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-11-20;9712`.

### Context within the Brazilian Legal System
As a federal statute, this law is part of Brazil's hierarchical legal system, which is based on the Constitution of 1988. It was created through the country's standard legislative process. The law is recognized as a significant legal document by the Wikimedia community, being included on the focus list of **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, a project dedicated to improving coverage of Brazilian legislation on Wikipedia.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1998-11-20;9712)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=9712&ano=1998&data=20/11/1998&ato=918UTRU1EeNpWTdc7)
3. LexML Brasil