Gujarat proposes Bill to regulate manufacturing of livestock, poultry feed

The Gujarat government has introduced a Bill proposing regulation of the manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and quality of livestock feed, poultry feed and mineral mixtures in the state.According to agency reports, the proposed legislation, expected to be taken up during the ongoing monsoon session of the Gujarat Assembly, aims to establish quality standards, curb adulteration and mislabelling, and protect the interests of animal husbandry farmers.
The Bill provides for stringent punishment for manufacturing adulterated feed. If the adulterated product does not cause the death of livestock or poultry, the offence may attract up to one year in jail and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. In cases resulting in death, the proposed punishment is seven to 10 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.The government said Gujarat has a substantial livestock base, including over 96 lakh cattle, 105 lakh buffaloes, 48 lakh goats and more than 217 lakh poultry animals. At present, the state does not have a dedicated regulatory framework governing feed manufacturing and its supply chain.
Under the proposed law, businesses dealing in livestock and poultry feed and mineral mixtures would require licences. The products would also have to meet prescribed standards, including those manufactured outside Gujarat or imported into the state.The Bill also seeks to prohibit the use of banned antibiotics, pharmacologically active substances and other adulterants in feed. A dedicated inspection mechanism and an expert committee would oversee licensing and quality control.Manufacturing, storing, distributing or selling sub-standard products could attract a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh and suspension of the licence for one year. Misbranding or misleading trade practices could lead to a similar fine and a three-year licence suspension.However, the proposed provisions would not apply to feed prepared by farmers for livestock or poultry raised by them, or to products developed by universities and research institutions for research purposes.

(State Correspondent)