Mandatory registration for livestock farmers, tighter animal disease control measures, licences for certain farming activities and jail terms for offences such as exhuming animal carcasses are among the key provisions contained in Rwanda's newly approved animal husbandry and fisheries bill.
The draft law, which was passed by the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, July 28, and now awaits presidential assent, seeks to modernise the livestock and fisheries sector through a unified legal framework that promotes professional farming, strengthens food security and aligns the sector with international standards.
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It also introduces new obligations for farmers, fishers, veterinarians and businesses operating in the sector, while proposing penalties for offences.
Here are some of the key provisions:
Penalties for exhuming an animal carcass
The bill makes it a criminal offence to exhume an animal carcass or any part of it.
A person convicted of the offence would face a fine ranging from Rwf500,000 to Rwf1 million, imprisonment for between six months and one year, or both.
Where the exhumed carcass leads to the spread of an incurable disease among people, the penalty increases to between three to five years&039; imprisonment. If it causes death, the offender would face between seven and 10 years in prison.
Penalties for illegal fishing using destructive methods
The bill also proposes criminal penalties for anyone who employs prohibited methods to disturb or kill aquatic organisms by using pollutants, explosives, magnetic devices or electricity.
Upon conviction, an offender would be liable to a fine of between Rwf7 million and Rwf10 million, imprisonment for 15 months to two years, or both.
Farmers classified into three categories
For the first time, the legislation formally categorises livestock farmers into three groups: small, medium and large farmers.
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The government says the classification is intended to support the modernisation of livestock production. The specific criteria for determining which category a farmer falls under will be provided in a ministerial order.
Mandatory registration for livestock farmers
The bill requires every livestock farmer, whether classified as small, medium or large, to register with the competent authority. The registration system is intended to improve planning, disease surveillance and the regulation of the livestock sector.
While the law establishes the requirement, the detailed registration procedures and eligibility requirements will be determined through a ministerial order.
Modern livestock farming becomes a legal requirement
The proposed law requires livestock farmers to adopt modern knowledge and technology appropriate to their category in order to achieve expected production levels.
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It also requires farming to be carried out in a manner that guarantees sustainable production, while empowering the competent authority to issue technical guidelines on modern livestock farming practices.
One Health principle adopted
The bill formally incorporates the internationally recognised "One Health" approach into Rwanda's livestock and fisheries legislation.
The principle requires government institutions, livestock farmers, veterinarians and other stakeholders to work together in protecting human health, animal health, wildlife and the environment, recognising that they are closely interconnected.
Animal welfare strengthened
The legislation places animal welfare at the centre of livestock production by requiring anyone keeping livestock or companion animals to ensure their health and well-being.
Beyond production, the bill establishes guiding principles intended to promote humane treatment of animals throughout their lives.
Beekeeping, insect farming and aquaculture require authorisation
Anyone wishing to engage in beekeeping, the keeping of other beneficial insects or aquaculture will first need authorisation from the competent authority.
The detailed licensing requirements, operational standards and conditions for obtaining approval will be determined by ministerial orders issued after the law comes into force.
Stronger controls on animal diseases
The bill introduces a comprehensive legal framework for preventing and responding to infectious animal diseases.
It establishes procedures for reporting disease outbreaks, surveillance, vaccination, quarantine, isolation of infected animals, biosecurity measures, and disposal of carcasses.
It also regulates veterinary medicines, vaccines and medical waste, and requires compliance with veterinary drug withdrawal periods before animal products enter the food chain.
Tighter regulation of animal movement and trade
The legislation strengthens oversight of the movement of animals and animal products by regulating transportation, importation, transit and inspections.
It also requires premises used to trade animals or animal products to be registered, a move aimed at improving traceability, food safety and disease prevention throughout the supply chain.
Fishing activities brought under a new regulatory framework
The bill establishes a legal framework governing fishing activities as well as the processing, transportation, storage and marketing of fishery products.
Businesses involved in processing, storing or marketing fishery products will also be required to register their premises in accordance with regulations to be issued after the law is enacted.