3 hrs ago
Gujarat Introduces Bill to Regulate Livestock and Poultry Feed
Gujarat has introduced a Bill to make animal and poultry feed safer.
The rules would cover feed for livestock, poultry and mineral mixtures.
Businesses would need licenses to make, store, distribute or sell these products.
The Bill would also ban prohibited antibiotics, certain active substances and other adulterants.
Companies would have to follow quality standards for products made in Gujarat or brought in from elsewhere.
Making adulterated feed could lead to imprisonment and fines.
The punishment would be much harsher if the feed caused animals to die.
The Bill also proposes penalties for poor-quality products and misleading labels.
The Gujarat government introduced a Bill regulating the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of livestock feed, poultry feed and mineral mixtures.
Manufacturing adulterated feed could bring one year in prison and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh if no animals die.
If adulterated feed causes livestock or poultry deaths, the proposed punishment is seven to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The Bill would require businesses to obtain licenses and comply with quality standards, including for products brought into Gujarat from other states or countries.
Sub-standard products could result in a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and a one-year license suspension, while misbranding could lead to a three-year suspension.
- Who
- The Gujarat government, with the Bill introduced by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, would regulate feed manufacturers, sellers and distributors.
- What
- A Bill proposes licensing, quality controls and penalties for livestock feed, poultry feed and mineral mixture businesses.
- Where
- Gujarat, including products made in other states or countries and brought into the state.
- When
- The Bill was introduced; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- The government says regulation is needed to prevent adulteration and mislabelling, protect animal-husbandry farmers, ensure quality production and support public health.
Key facts
- Proposed no-death punishment
- Up to one year in prison and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh for adulterated feed that does not cause animal deaths.
- Proposed death-related punishment
- Seven to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh if adulterated feed causes livestock or poultry deaths.
- Sub-standard product penalty
- A fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and suspension of the license for one year.
- Misbranding penalty
- A fine of up to Rs 5 lakh and suspension of the license for three years.
- Controlling Authority
- The Director of Animal Husbandry.
- Licensing Authority
- The Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry or an authorized official not below the rank of Joint Director, Class 1.
- Livestock population cited
- Gujarat has 96.34 lakh cattle, 105.43 lakh buffaloes, 17.87 lakh sheep, 48.68 lakh goats and 217.73 lakh poultry animals.
Quotes
Jitu Vaghani
Gujarat Agriculture Minister who introduced the Bill
“it is essential to make an Act to regulate the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and quality control of livestock and poultry feed as well as mineral mixture in the state of Gujarat to ensure quality production and standards, to check adulteration and mislabelling”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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