Relief for farmers following the revision of the disputed milk regulations

Milk producers will not be precluded from selling to their neighbors as long as they are within a two-kilometer radius, according to Kenya Dairy Board's draft revised regulations.

The regulator also considered penalties and fines for various offenses up to a maximum of 10,000 shillings. Previously, he had declared in the draft withdrawn that any farmer who would realize that the non-compliance with the rules would be liable to a fine of 500,000 shillings.

In March, the jury complied with public criticism and withdrew its controversial draft regulation.

Margaret Kibogy, Executive Director of the Board of Directors, is conducting a nationwide regulatory farmer awareness campaign to make locally produced milk safe and competitively priced in the region.

She said that farmers and consumers could benefit from the regulation.

"Discussions with dairy farmers are underway. Some of the areas we are looking at are the registration of farmers, the handling of milk, the transport and storage of milk, the type of equipment used for the transport of milk as well as the transportation of milk. one point to another, "said the doctor at a dairy farmers conference." Stakeholder meeting in Soy, Uasin Gishu County.

Ms. Kibogy added, "The sale of raw milk is an area that has been addressed. I explained to farmers that it is not that we have prevented them from selling to their neighbors, but that it is a proposal to protect consumers against the consumption of milk that is not safe.

We simply have a schedule and standards for milk processing and we will continue to engage dairy producers. "

She added that the regulations will allow the country to export its locally produced milk since the milk product will have met the set standards.

"The proposed regulations will ensure the quality of milk for the public. For example, raw milk should be delivered to a processing plant of choice within two hours to avoid a deterioration in quality, "said Evanson Mwangi, chief compliance officer for the board.

He added that the draft regulation would require the seller to make hygiene statements whenever he was selling milk to the public, so that the buyer could take the necessary precautions when consuming it.

"With these regulations, emphasis will be placed on traceability for quality and farm management to address concerns about the quality of milk and its products. These regulations should be submitted by the end of August, "added Mr. Mwangi.

Mr Mwangi said the rules advocated the registration of farmers so that their information could improve service delivery by the national government and counties.

In March, controversial settlements sparked a public outcry and were withdrawn before they could be submitted to the National Assembly for approval, in accordance with the 2013 Statutory Instruments Act, which stipulates that all subsidiary laws generated by the government agencies must be adopted by the deputies. .

The draft regulation prohibited farmers from selling milk even to their neighbors before pasteurizing it. According to the regulations, milk would only be sold on the basis of quality and a farmer would sell it to a processor with whom he had a contract.

Some practices stipulated in the latest regulations include cooling the milk as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria, as well as handling milk with appropriate equipment, keeping records for follow-up in case of problems, health of milk handlers and dairy products. dairy products and prevention of contamination.