The government seeking to consolidate laws governing animal husbandry, animal health and fisheries under one legistation in a move aimed at closing regulatory gaps and aligning the sector with international standards. The draft bill approved by Cabinet on January 28 brings together provisions that were previously spread across four separate laws, while introducing regulations in areas that were previously not covered. ALSO READ: How Rwanda’s farming practices are evolving to meet modern demands Jean Claude Ndorimana, the Director General for Animal Resources Development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said the draft law is designed to cover the entire animal production chain, from farming to animal health and fisheries management. Ndorimana explained that the bill has three major components: animal husbandry, which covers different animals from cattle to bees; animal health, to ensure compliance with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH); and fisheries, to align with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) standards. ALSO READ: Government harmonises fees for veterinary services Why the law is needed One of the key drivers behind the proposed changes is inconsistency between existing laws and the current institutional framework. Some of the laws still refer to the now-defunct Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA), which was replaced by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). Ndorimana explained that this has created enforcement challenges. For example, cases of animal mistreatment during transportation, such as cattle being tied by the horns or tails, are difficult to address clearly under the current legal provisions that assign responsibility to defunct institutions. ALSO READ: Feed shortages, imports drive up costs for livestock farmers The draft law also introduces regulations in areas that are currently either weakly governed or not covered at all. These include animal welfare, the transportation and movement of animals and animal products, and the regulation of the veterinary profession. “There has been no comprehensive law defining what veterinarians can do based on their level of training, whether they are TVET graduates or university-trained professionals,” Ndorimana told The New Times. He said this gap has affected the quality and safety of veterinary services. In addition, the proposed law addresses animal husbandry practices, genetic improvement, conservation of indigenous breeds such as Inyambo cattle, animal feed value chains, and livestock traceability. It also seeks to bring Rwanda’s framework in line with international requirements set by WOAH and FAO, particularly in the management of animal diseases, meat transportation and veterinary practices. Farmers’ views Stakeholders in the livestock sector say the proposed changes could help resolve long-standing challenges. They noted the need for consultation about the bill before it is passed into law. Jean de Dieu Hakizimana, the chairperson of Rwanda’s poultry farmers, pointed to the issue of middlemen in the supply chain as a major concern. He said these middlemen often buy produce at very low prices from farmers before selling it to consumers at much higher rates. “That imbalance should be examined when assessing the bill, including how the value chain is structured and who should be involved,” Hakizimana said. He also noted that poultry farmers face challenges due to a lack of specialised veterinarians. According to him, the same veterinarians often handle both poultry and large livestock, limiting effective disease management despite the existence of insurance schemes, particularly for layer chicken farmers. Jean-Claude Shirimpumu, a farmer from Gicumbi District and chairperson of Rwanda Pig Farmers’ Association, said clear legal standards would help curb malpractice across the sector. “Agriculture is the backbone of the country’s development. Without clear laws, it is difficult to hold people accountable for practices such as poor-quality animal feed or unsafe slaughtering methods,” he said. Shirimpumu added that the absence of regulation means that animals are slaughtered in unsuitable environments and transported in harmful ways, which affects animal welfare and public health. He argued that proper classification of farmers, based on capacity, could also improve standards and productivity. “In countries where agriculture is well regulated, these malpractices are rare. We expect a system where farmers earn fair returns compared to their production costs,” he said. He said meaningful consultation about the bill involving farmers is needed. Cattle farmers have also welcomed the move, saying it end issues in veterinary services. Janviere Mukankubana from Burera District said the absence of clear professional boundaries often delays effective treatment. “When a cow falls sick, we first call the nearest veterinarian. If they fail, we are advised to look for more specialised services, sometimes when it is already too late,” Mukankubana said, adding that a law clearly defining responsibilities could prevent such situations. She also raised concerns about animal mistreatment during transportation, noting that cattle are sometimes tied or handled in ways that cause injury, practices she believes stronger regulation could help eliminate.
