Govt Introduces Fine and Jail Term For Kenyans Growing Specific Crops Without License
Shortly, all Kenyan producers, irrespective of scale, engaged in the animal feed industry will be subject to a fine of USD 20,000 if discovered operating without a valid license.
As stipulated in the Livestock Bill 2023, the penalty encompasses the entirety of the animal feed life cycle, commencing with cultivation and concluding with distribution.
The bill proposes to establish a committee or similar entity to advise the Authority on all matters about registration and licensure as outlined in the regulations, to govern the industry.
“A person shall not, whether as a business operator or otherwise, handle any feedstuff 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,” read the bill in part.
However, the bill’s potential impact on individuals who produce the feeds for personal consumption remains uncertain.
It is anticipated that the bill will enhance farmers’ and merchants’ adherence to accurate records concerning the implementation of risk management measures, promptly and for a sufficient duration, by the scale and characteristics of the feed business.
It is anticipated that this will aid authorized officers in identifying disease outbreaks and assessing the quality of livestock produced in each region.
The accused individuals face a potential prison term of six months if convicted of rule circumvention.
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“A person who operates a feedstuff business contrary to these regulations, commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both fine and imprisonment,” added the bill.
The authority will have the authority to approve or deny license applications and will be required to provide transparent written justifications for any denials.
Kenyans, on the other hand, were astounded by the recommendations, observing that they ran counter to the food sustainability objectives that the administration of President William Ruto had established.
“It doesn’t make sense to talk about food sustainability and then hinder farmers from actually producing food,” lamented a user.
“It’s a paradox that this is being spearheaded by an executive elected by the people and a National Assembly which is supposed to represent the people. It’s high time that we reactivated the recall clause,” corroborated Daniel Lairuka Sindani.
Conversely, proponents of the measure opposed it because it would enhance the caliber of locally sourced food.
Govt Introduces Fine and Jail Term For Kenyans Growing Specific Crops Without License
