Agriculture CS Hon Peter Munya has launched the Dairy Industry Regulations, 2021.
The CS noted that dairy sector plays a very critical role in realization of the big 4 agenda, it is a source of livelihood, employment and income for many households.
He said for this reason, the government has kept a keen eye on the sector and has continued to allocate resources and other forms of support.
Munya said that the government recognizes that proper regulatory and policy framework are critical for growth and development of dairy sector.
In the launched dairy regulations, dairy business operators will submit monthly returns on processed milk & quantities to the county government or the board for policy and investment decisions.
The regulations brings on board compliance officers who will be gazetted by the Dairy board to ensure marketed dairy products meets standards while holding the officer accountable for any malpractice.
The regulations are aimed at enhancing consumer protection and safety of dairy produce, improving access to information on marketed dairy produce and providing a mechanism for tracing and recall of dairy produce.
On pricing of dairy products the CS added that the regulations will ensure a guaranteed minimum price on milk sales which will ensure that their investment in dairy farming gives favourable returns throughout the year.
On Imports and exports CS Munya said that the regulations are aimed at protecting the Kenya dairy Industry against unfair trade practices or competition & dumping & farther support govt to guarantee food security & sufficiency.
On dairy produce safety the CS said regulations aims at enhancing compliance to safety standards, promoting self regulation through adoption of global best practices.
These regulations will provide mechanism for sale of milk to our immediate neighbors, however the milk must meet relevant standard for raw milk.
