The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has proposed changes in the poultry business as it seeks to regulate poultry breeding in commercial and subsistence production.

In the proposal, The Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations 2023, uploaded online by the Ministry of Agriculture, the state said the move is aimed at improving coordination of the poultry industry to increase production and productivity of safe and quality poultry and poultry products.

”These Regulations shall apply to all poultry and poultry products in Kenya or imported into Kenya,’’ reads the document in part.

In the regulations, the state will register breeders, poultry, and any other individual involved in the handling of poultry.

It will further require poultry farmers to register their birds, including chicken, duck, ostrich, goose, turkey, quail, pigeon, guinea fowl, and any wild bird domesticated for human consumption, commercial or other purposes.

Upon registration, farmers keeping poultry for both commercial and other purposes will be required to keep the registration details and produce them upon request.

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The Livestock (Poultry Industry) Regulations 2023 warns that any poultry farmer found flouting the laid down regulatory framework shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

”A poultry operator may be registered by the County Government where located.’’ The regulation states.

The registration shall further apply to those involved in the poultry Equipment business failure to which they will be liable to a punishment.

“A person shall not conduct any business as a dealer in poultry equipment unless they are registered and has a certificate of registration, and holds a current license issued by the Authority to operate as such.’’ the regulations state.

“The Authority shall charge such fee for registration and licensing as the Cabinet Secretary shall approve. Any person that contravenes this Regulation commits an offence,” it added.