In a bid to improve the agricultural sector, cabinet has approved the principles for the Animal Feed Bill 2018, that is aimed at regulating suppliers of animal feeds.
This follows a public outcry on the poor quality of foods that not only harm the health of the animals but cost buyers millions of shillings.
Speaking at the government media centre government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo asserted that this has equally been long over due.
It is estimated that at least 80% Ugandans have invested into agriculture as a livelihood. However, many are frustrated in the animal feeds sector because of the uneven quality of feeds on the market. Hundreds often abandon the venture or are considering that decision, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries.
Cabinet has swung in action to address this.
Government spokesperson Opondo noted, “Currently there are animal feeds imported into the country. We don’t have a law regulating them, even in towns across the country people set up machines to make feeds and make them without regulation.”
Addressing the press government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo this will be the first regulation towards the ever growing trade.
Government now intends to promote a well- regulated animal feeds industry integrating the various aspirations for its stakeholders, farmers, clients and the related value chain actors.
The new policy also will promote the development of the animal feeds industry for increased production of quality feeds at affordable costs.
Opondo said many unscrupulous people mix sand and saw dust duping the public that they are selling quality feeds. Many of the contaminants not only a risk to the animals but also the humans.
An agriculture (MAAIF) research conducted between 2002 and 2005 also discovered that f few farmers ever take the animal feeds they buy to laboratories for testing before feeding them to their animals.
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