Producers of day-old chicks, beef abattoirs and processors of raw milk are now required to pay a levy which will create a fund for prevention and control of animal diseases.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made announced the development in terms of Section 37 of the Agricultural Marketing Authority Act (Chapter 18:24) in a Government Gazette on Friday.
Failure to comply with the regulations will attract a fine not exceeding level six or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
Producers of day-old chick will pay US1c for every chick, and buyers of raw milk will contribute the same amount for every litre of milk purchased.
Reads the gazette in part: “Every person engaged in the business of producing chicks; or buying raw milk; or slaughtering beef cattle; shall pay a livestock development levy.
“The rate of the levy to be paid by producers of day old chicks shall be USD 1 cent per day-old chick; buyers of raw milk shall be USD 1 cent per litre for all raw milk purchased USD 10 of the value of a fifth quarter per animal slaughtered.”
The levy shall be payable to the Agricultural Marketing Fund no later than seven days after the month of production or processing.
The money will be used to promote “research on appropriate technologies in livestock production and animal health, transparent grading and classification of livestock and livestock products, investment in veterinary infrastructure, sustainable animal husbandry practices”.
Zimbabwe Poultry Association chair Mr Solomon Zawe said: “I think coming with that new levy is a very noble one that can help us fight diseases. What is important is for the money to be in safe hand and put to good use.” sunday mail
0 comments:
Post a Comment