Poultry farmers at Risk of 500K Fine or Jail Term in New Agricultural Regulations.
Poultry farmers at Risk of 500K Fine or Jail Term: According to the gazette notice, The government’s objective is organizing and improving coordination of the poultry industry, registering poultry, the breeders and any relevant associations formed.
Notably, It aims at improving safe production of poultry products and encourage safe handling, storage, value addition and efficient distribution of poultry products.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Poultry comprises of poultry products, chicken, duck, ostrich, goose, turkey, quail, pigeon, guinea fowl and any wild bird domesticated for human consumption, commercial or other purposes.
All 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.
All poultry operators will 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.
Notably, those keeping birds for purposes other than commercial purposes may also keep a register of their registered poultry in a specified form.
Consequently, any farmer who commits the contrary under the regulations will be liable to a fine of 500K or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or to both.
The notice read,”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 shall charge such fee for registration and licensing as the Cabinet Secretary shall approve. Any person that contravenes this Regulation commits an offense,” it added.
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