You will be arrested, fined or imprisoned if you plant some staple crops without license

Should the Livestock Bill 2023 see the light of day; a tough regulatory regime awaits animal feed farmers and the entire animal feed value chain. The proposed bill will affect all the stages of animal feed chain from the basic level of growing the feed, processing it, and ensuring its quality, its storage and distribution of the feed. The bill proposes that all involved in the animal feed value chain shall incur a fine of Ksh. 20,000 or a jail term of up to six months if found flouting the laid down regulatory framework.

The Livestock Bill 2023 states in part that “A person shall not, whether as a business operator or otherwise, handle any animal feeds by way of engaging in any operation of production, manufacture, processing, storage, transport or distribution unless the person has been validly registered under this regulation and issued with a registration certificate.” 

The bill is projected to boost book keeping among the animal feed value chain relative to the processes of each activity. Some livestock experts are voicing support for the bill as others are critical of its far reaching effects calling for its revision and reach. 

Its proponents say that it will help the authorities to control animal feed   in good time and help determine the quality of livestock being manufactured in every region. 

However, many others especially in the wider public are alarmed that certain maize breeds such as the variety known as KH600-22A yields as high as 66 bags per acre and can be used as fodder for livestock due to the long stalks it produces. Those growing such varieties will hence be required to register with the authorities should they convert the crop to animal feed.

 


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