The Agricultural Employers Association (AEA) is now demanding clarity on the bill proposing permits for farmers carrying out animal production services.

Speaking on Monday during a stakeholder engagement, the AEA officials said they would engage the government for clarification on whether the proposal would affect all farmers including those who have two domestic animals or just commercial farmers.

This follows the proposal outlined in the Animal Production Professionals and Technicians Bill 2023, that Kenyans who carry out animal production services without a permit face a fine of Ksh500,000 or six months imprisonment.

“Any person who carries out animal production services without having been registered under the Act, or otherwise contravenes any provisions of this Part, commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both,” the Act read in part.

The proposal published last year stirred a debate, with farmers seeking to know who would be affected.

Daniel Kanyoni: Why you should not feed your cows fresh Napier grass

Nicholas Muyale, the Chairman of the Kenya Veterinary Association, however, clarified that the bill targets professionals offering animal production services without licenses and not farmers rearing the animals.

He explained that the bill seeks to regulate the training, registration, and licensing of veterinarians, researchers, and nutritionists, among other technicians.

”The Animal Production Professionals and Technicians Bill does not talk about farmers and Kenyans owning animals; the bill seeks to regulate the profession because there are people who are not licensed but offer farmers these services,’’ he said.

Kenyans seeking a license will have to apply at the Animal Production Professionals Board and wait for approval within a stipulated period after paying the set fee.

Each licence issued shall be valid from January 1 to December 31 of the year. With this time, the licence may also be suspended by the board for various reasons, including false information in the application.

If the licence is cancelled, the person will be required to surrender their certificate of registration to the board’s Registrar or be fined Ksh50,000.