The Order of Merit for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ( es, Orden del Mérito Agrario, Pesquero y Alimentario) is a Civil Order of Merit awarded by

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. It is awarded to recognize people and organizations for outstanding performance in agriculture, fisheries, and food in all its manifestations. The order was established by

Royal Decree A decree is a legal proclamation, usually issued by a head of state (such as the president of a republic or a monarch), according to certain procedures (usually established in a constitution). It has the force of law. The particular term used for ...

421/1987, on 27 February 1987.

History

This order replaced the former ''Order of Merit for Agriculture'' ( es, Orden Civil del Mérito Agrícola), created on 3 December 1905 and established by Royal Decree on 9 February 1906.

Classes

The classes of the order may be awarded in one of three divisions,

agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...

fisheries Fishery can mean either the enterprise of raising or harvesting fish and other aquatic life; or more commonly, the site where such enterprise takes place ( a.k.a. fishing ground). Commercial fisheries include wild fisheries and fish farms, both ...

, and

food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is inge ...

. Individuals are awarded one of six classes of the order, while organizations and groups may be recognized by one of three classes of plaque. Awards of the Grand Cross and Gold Plaque are granted by Royal Decree. The Grand Cross and Gold Plaque may be awarded to cover all three divisions.

Individuals

Individuals are recognized with one of the following six classes of the order: *Grand Cross (''Gran Cruz'') *Commander by Number (''Encomienda de Número'') *Commander (''Encomienda'') *Officer's Cross (''Cruz de Oficial'') *Cross (''Cruz'') *Bronze Medal (''Medalla de Bronce'')

Other entities

Groups, organizations, and other legal entities are recognized with one of the following three classes: *Gold Plaque (''Placa de Oro'') *Silver Plaque (''Placa de Plata'') *Bronze Plaque (''Placa de Bronce'')

References

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Agriculture Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...