- They claim the Bill imposes stringent regulations that could harm their industry.
- The Bill was tabled before Parliament by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah.
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Image: AGATHA NGOTHO
Did you know that you can be arrested and jailed for not less than one year or fined half a million for violating beekeeping regulations?
Beekeepers across the country are sounding the alarm over the recently proposed Livestock Bill 2024.
They claim the Bill imposes stringent regulations that could harm their industry.
The Bill was tabled before Parliament by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah.
According to Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, the Livestock Bill aims to reform livestock management.
It also seeks to address farmers' economic stability by securing good returns on investment and developing the livestock value chain.
“The proposed legislation is aligned with and sensitive to livestock farmers' interests and aspirations. It will ensure a robust and sustainable livestock sector by enhancing productivity, market access and sector resilience,” Mueke said.
However, farmers, including beekeepers, have criticised the Bill for overlooking the unique needs and challenges they face.
Dr Fred Namasaka, the chair -Likuyani Forest Beekeepers Association, said whereas the Bill aims to boost local to global market access for honey and related products, its negative effects cannot be ignored.
“The role of legislation is to control and by extension to reduce. What will be reduced in the event that the proposed law is implemented is the quantity of production especially at small scale bee farming level,” he said.
On regulations in respect of bee keeping, the Livestock Bill states that the Cabinet Secretary may in consultation with the Council of Governors make regulations for the registration of bee keepers.
Other regulations include standards of bee hives, branding of bee hives and disposal of bees, honeycombs and beehives.
It further states that; “A person who commits an offence under this Act for which no specific penalty is prescribed, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Sh500,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both.”
Namasaka who is also a bee keeper, said the proposed regulations are complex and will undoubtedly overwhelm small scale bee keepers.
“Compliance with legislation will certainly increase production costs. This includes permits, certification and bee production upgrades. Additional costs will then prohibit and discourage small scale farming investments in apiculture,” he said.
The legislation which is aimed at standardising product quality for market access will inadvertently exclude small scale farmers who cannot meet these requirements, he said.
“Strict regulations often stifle innovation as small scale farmers may be hesitant to adopt new technologies for fear of non-compliance," Namasaka said.
"Small scale farmers will find it difficult to adhere to these requirements on regulations on hive management, honey processing and labelling standards.”
He said legislation should be designed with the needs of small scale farmers in mind.
This he said, includes but not limited to providing support and training to help farmers understand and comply with regulations.
It should also offer financial assistance or subsidies to offset compliance costs.
This is in addition to ensuring the market standards are accessible and achievable for small scale bee keepers.
He noted the need to encourage collaboration between small scale farmers and larger entities to enhance market access.
The bee keeper and master trainer in the Farmers Field Schools added that the legislation should also promote value addition through incentives.
It should also promote support for processing and packaging initiatives.
Namasaka said the unique challenges faced by small scale farmers should be considered.
"Legislation if it must be there, should be tailored to enhance production levels, quality and marketability without imposing undue burdens. After all, we do not actually need laws on everything. We just need to go back to the norms and do right at all times,” he said.