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{
    "id": 577985,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/577985/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 101,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kinyua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2303,
        "legal_name": "Peter Weru Kinyua",
        "slug": "peter-weru-kinyua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to second this Report of the Mediation Committee. The most significant inclusion into the Board as proposed in the amendment is the Director of Veterinary Services. As the Mover has rightly put it, we want to enrich the Fertilizers and Animal Foodstuffs Board so that we ensure that technical advice and support is provided. One, you will appreciate that the health and safety of foodstuffs and livestock cannot be separated even from human safety and health. As such, it is very important that the way foodstuffs for livestock are handled and also the residual effect of these foodstuffs is taken care of. The people with that technical capability reside within the Department of Livestock led by the Director. We have had instances where we have had foodstuffs borne diseases and outbreaks like the recent one when we had the aflatoxin issue. The person who assesses, manages and communicates the entire system for mitigation of such outbreak is the Director of Veterinary Services. So, by bringing this to the Board, it will provide that needed link between the technical expertise that handles the day to day running of livestock, health and husbandry to enable it have a proper regulation. At the same time, we have had instances where unscrupulous traders are ready to use any means to make money. We have even had people packaging sawdust and calling it animal feed. The farmer out there does not have the technical capability and expertise of establishing what is packed. The person who is also looking at this regulation and is in charge of the day to day running of the components and ingredients that are within the foodstuffs that are in the market is the Director of Veterinary Services. So, by bringing in the Director, it means that we will at every given time be linking the happenings on the ground with what the Board needs for it to make very prudent decisions. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, in my constituency, we have solely been depending on coffee. Even after the very unfortunate intervention by the County Government of Nyeri it is almost coming to a collapse and we will be debating that in this House at a later date. However, we must look for alternative sources of income for our farmers. Mathira is known for being among the leaders in milk production. Before we talk about having more cows, chicken or any other livestock, we are also looking at how to enrich the existing resources so that we provide proper husbandry and proper foodstuffs. This has come at the right time so that we ensure that whatever is in the market is adding value. Lastly, there is the issue of the removal of the Attorney- General (AG) from the Board. All we are saying is that the AG has a statutory right and obligation to offer legal advice to all Government agencies. So, it is not necessary to have him as a member of the Board. However, as need arises, advise could be sought from the AG and it will go in handy in ensuring that the Board also is in sync and in line with the provisions of the laws of this country. With those few remarks, I beg to second. Thank you."
}