Help root out sellers of fakes, say animal feed makers

Manufacturers of animal feeds want the government to intervene and weed out unscrupulous traders selling substandard products.

Manufacturers said these rogue traders are giving their business a bad name as the products that farmers get do not improve production.

Association of Kenya Animal Feeds Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) Chairman Robert Ithieme said regulations should be enhanced so that farmers get good returns from their investments. He said quality feeds are key to improved production.

Kenya Bureau of Standards Managing Director Mr Charles Ongwae said all animal feeds makers must comply with the newly introduced guidelines. He said all products must be certified by Kebs before being sold to farmers.

RISK LOSING THEIR LICENCES

He was speaking during a one-day consultative meeting convened by Kenya Bureau of Standards in Nairobi.

He said that animal feeds manufacturers risk losing their licences if they fail to adhere to laid down regulations.

He said all companies must receive environmental, public health, labour and county government approvals before commencing operations.

“Kebs will be at hand to help you comply with the new standards that ensure all feeds have the required minerals,” he said.

Mr Ithieme assured Kebs that all animal feeds manufacturers would stick to the new regulations.

The move seeks to root out an emerging trend where some players repackage certified feeds after adding soil which endangers animals health and has no nutritional content.

Mr Ongwae said all animal feeds must bear Kebs’s genuine mark of quality.

TRACE SOURCE OF PRODUCT

He said Kebs will also check on proof of trail for every finished product in the market to ensure farmers not only get value for their money but are able to trace source of a product through its unique identification.

Mr Ongwae added that a new law on importation of raw materials for making animal feeds and on sale of animal feeds was operationalised last year and urged the manufacturers to adhere to it.

AKEFEMA has been pushing for waiver of duty on imported raw materials saying it would lead to price reduction of animal feeds.

The licensed 150 millers produce about 500,000 tonnes of animal feeds annually with the demand yet to be met.