The Nigerian Senate is considering a bill that will create a database for livestock.
The bill for an Act to ‘establish national livestock and management (protection, control and management etc) bureau’ scaled second reading on Tuesday. It is sponsored by Bima Enagi (APC, Niger South).
The legislation is aimed at solving the challenge of animal identification and management by establishing the National Livestock Bureau for the purpose of livestock identification, traceability, registration, cattle rustling control and livestock disease control.
Leading the debate, Mr Enagi noted that although livestock identification was originally intended to indicate ownership and prevent rustling, it has been expanded to include information on animals’ origins (birthplace, parentage, sex, breed, genetics) as well as the ability to trace an animal product back through the marketing chain to its source.
He said the movement of livestock and their products has increased the spread of diseases, increased the threat to human health and reduced consumer confidence in animal products. The Bureau, when established, will ensure the traceability of animal products into the country, in order to safeguard the lives citizens.
The Bill contains 28 Clauses with a Schedule. Clauses 1-6 deals with the establishment, objectives and functions of the Bureau while Clauses 7-8 provides for appointment of staff and pension matters and clauses 9 -12 contains provisions for funds of the Bureau, annual estimates and report. Clauses 13-17 deals with the establishment and functions of Zonal office.
Niger senator Sabi Abdullahi seconded the bill describing it as timely.
After passage, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development further legislative work and public hearing.
The panel is to report back in four weeks.
