Farmers oppose new veterinary law

By James Munyeki

Controversy surrounding enactment of the new Veterinary and Surgeons para-professionals Act 2011 took centre stage at a farmers trade fair held at Ol Kalou Nyayo stadium on Thursday.

According to the new legislation, certificate and diploma holders in animal health technology risk to be fined up to Sh100,000 if they will be found treating animals or administering Artificial Insemination.

Kenya National Association of Livestock Technicians chairman Benson Ameda said the new law is contradicting Government policies on employment, value addition and procreation thus escalating poverty and retarding economic growth.

Ameda observed that the Act is discriminative since farmers will be required to pay more for services that will be offered by the veterinary surgeons who are the only ones required to treat animals by the Act.

He wondered why the Government opened Animal Health Industry and Training Institutes if the graduates’ work will only be to castrate bulls and perform other simple tasks, which ordinary farmers can do.

The trade fair was organised by Kenya Livestock Production Association. Ameda said the association will be moving to court as a matter of urgency to block implementation of the new law.

Trade fair

He added that implementation of the Act is likely to cause chaos in the livestock sector and cost 7,000 jobs.

Reacting to the sentiments, Livestock Development Assistant Minister Dan Mwanzo, who was the chief guest during the trade fair, said stakeholders need to come together and consult on how amendments should be made.

"Every legislation is made with the view of developing the nation and the aim of this new one is to get rid of quacks. Sanity should, therefore, prevail when proposing for amendments," he said.