Ksh 500K Fine proposed for Kenyans breeding chicken at home
Ksh 500K Fine proposed for Kenyans breeding chicken at home
The Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations 2023 are an attempt by the government to control the breeding of poultry for both commercial and domestic use.
According to the plan that the Ministry of Agriculture put online, poultry includes any wild bird that has been tamed for human food, trade, or other uses, as well as poultry products, chicken, duck, ostrich, goose, turkey, quail, pigeon, and guinea hens.
CS Agriculture Any other bird may be declared poultry by Mithika Linturi through a gazette notification.
According to the documents, any farmer found guilty of breaking one of the restrictions faces a maximum fine of Ksh500,000, a maximum sentence of one year in jail, or both.
Among the objectives the government seeks to achieve is organising and improving coordination of the poultry industry, registering poultry, the breeders and any relevant associations formed.
Additionally, it seeks to promote the safe handling, storage, value-adding, and effective distribution of chicken products in addition to raising productivity and production levels of high-quality, safe poultry and poultry products.
In the regulations, farmers will register their birds, including chicken, and provide the details upon request. A Livestock Inputs and Products Regulatory Authority will also be formed to track all registers, including manual and digital.
A poultry operator may be registered by the County Government where located, while a poultry operator keeping birds for commercial purposes shall
keep a register of poultry in a specified form.
A poultry operator keeping birds for purposes other than commercial purposes may also keep a register of their registered poultry in a specified form.
It further adds that “A person shall not conduct any business as a dealer in poultry equipment unless they are registered and has a certificate of registration, and holds a current license issued by the Authority to operate as such.
“The Authority will impose registration and licensing fees at the Cabinet Secretary’s discretion. Anyone who violates this regulation is breaking the law.”
Farmers’, breeders’, producers’, and processors’ roles Equipment, crates, containers, and vehicles used in the production, preparation, grading, packaging, storing, and transportation of poultry and poultry products must be kept clean and, if needed, appropriately disinfected.
They must also use clean water and take all reasonable precautions to keep animals and bugs from contaminating equipment in a dangerous way.
In order to prevent equipment contamination, it is also necessary to manage and store wastes and hazardous materials separately and securely. Additionally, any additional legislation pertaining to equipment hygiene and biosecurity must be followed.
Kenyans who raise agricultural animals, like as goats and cows, without a license face a fine of Ksh500,000, a six-month jail sentence, or both, according to the government’s recently passed Animal Production Professionals and Technicians Bill 2023.
