Alarm over high drug residue in milk and meat

Experts have raised the red flag over the high level of drug residue in livestock products, mainly meat and milk.

The Africa Veterinary Technical Association (AVTA) and Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association (KVPA) have attributed this to the proliferation of quacks in the sector.

AVTA Chairman Benson Ameda said the Veterinary Surgeons and Paraprofessionals Act does not address issues facing stakeholders.

"There is need to amend this Act so that we can deal with increased cases of drug residue in livestock products," he said. Mr Ameda said paraprofessionals need powers to treat minor ailments in animals.

"Currently, paraprofessionals work under veterinarians and this spells doom for a nation where the number of quacks is on the increase," he said.

KVPA Chairman John Ngige said the Veterinary Medicine Directorate Bill should be suspended to allow for more consultations before its enactment as it would lead to massive job losses. About 6,000 jobs are at risk.

Mr Ngige said many of the paraprofessionals stand to lose if the bill is approved in its current status.

"We know that this bill is intended to make paraprofessionals work under veterinarians, which is illegal as all of them have received the same training," he said.

He said many farmers especially in the arid and semi arid areas depend on their services because vets are few in the country.

He termed the bill as a disaster adding that they will marshal Members of Parliament especially from the pastoralist regions to reject it once the National Assembly reopens tomorrow.

"As an association, we reject the bill in totality," he said, adding that the proposed law gives the farmer more powers.