Ministry of Agriculture (Spain)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Spanish: Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, MAPA), is the department of the Government of Spain responsible for proposing and carrying out the government policy on agricultural, livestock and fishery resources, food industry and safety and rural development. The Ministry is responsible for assigning Veterinary Surgeons to carry out checks in regard to the issuing of REGA Licences (Registro de Explotación) a requirement for the ownership of horses on Spanish property and small holdings.

Specifically, it corresponds to the MAPA the preparation of State legislation on agriculture, fisheries and food; the proposal and carrying out of the general guidelines of the Government on agricultural, fisheries and food policies; the representation of Spain in the international organizations corresponding to these matters; as well as the coordination of actions, cooperation and agreement in the design and application of all policies that affect the scope of competences of the autonomous communities and the other public administrations, encouraging their participation through the cooperation bodies and instruments adequate.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is headed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a member of the Council of Ministers appointed by the Monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister. The minister is assisted by the Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food, the Secretary-General for Agrarian Resources and Food Security, the Secretary-General for Fisheries and the Department's Under-Secretary, among others. The current minister is Mr. Luis Planas since June 2018.