Animal Feeds Act 2023
Background to the Act
The Animal Feeds Act 2023, which was assented to by H.E The President on the 24th of May 2024 was introduced through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to meet the following key objectives.
- To provide for the establishment and composition of the Animal Feeds Committee
- To provide for the regulation of the production, importation, storage, exportation and sale of animal feeds
- To provide for the packaging and labelling of animal feeds
- To provide for animal feeds inspectors and animal feeds analysts and for related matters.
About the Directorate of Animal Resources
The Directorate of Animal Resources is the Animal sub-sector Directorate under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries with the overall objective,
"To support sustainable animal disease and vector control, market-oriented animal production, food quality and safety; for improved food security and household income."
Key outputs of the Directorate include:
- Technical guidance for formulation, review and implementation of policies, legislation, standards, plans and strategies in the areas of animal production, animal health and veterinary regulation and inspection and enforcement.
- Monitoring, inspection, evaluation and harmonization of national programs and projects in the sub-sector.
- Mobilisation of resources and assistance for the sub-sector.
- Provision of technical guidance for human and institutional capacity enhancement for delivery of services in the sub-sector.
- Promotion and establishment of national, regional and international collaborative mechanisms on issues pertaining to the sub-sector.
- Provision of guidance on the generation/dissemination and application of appropriate technologies and the provision of advisory services for the development of value chains in the sub-sector.
What the Animal Feeds Act 2023 covers
The Act is made up of 5 parts. Part One explains the mode of application and interpretation of the Act and the other parts are organized as follows.
Part II- Animal Feeds Committee
This part covers:
- Establishment and composition of Animal Feeds Committee
- Functions of the Committee
Part III—Regulation of Production, Importation, exportation, storage and sale of animal feeds
Approval of premises
- Application for approval of premises
- Display of certificate of approval of premises
- Alteration of premises
- Suspension of certificate of approval of premises
- Revocation of certificate of approval of premises
Licensing
- Licensing production, storage and sale of animal feeds
- Renewal of license
- Revocation of license
Importation and exportation of animal feeds
This includes the following:
- Importation of animal feeds
- Exportation of animal feeds
- Production, packaging, labelling and transportation of animal feeds
- Treatment of bones, blood and other substances derived from animals or carcasses
- Regulated additives
- Prohibited substances
- Use of veterinary drugs and hormones
- Animal feeds quality control laboratory
Packaging
This covers:
- Packaging
- Tampering with package
- Labeling
- Transportation
Part IV—Animal Feeds Inspectors and animal feeds analysts
This part covers:
- Animal feeds inspectors
- Functions of animal feeds inspectors
- Powers of animal feeds inspectors
- Obstructing or misleading animal feeds inspectors
- Prohibition of sale of animal feeds that do not comply with established standards
- Animal Feeds Analysts
- Functions of Animal Feeds Analysts
- Animal Feeds Analysis Report
Part V—Miscellaneous
This part covers:
- Protection from liability
- Appeal
- Power to amend Schedule
- Regulations
Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“Animals” means cattle, camels, horses, donkeys, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, poultry, cats, dogs, guinea pigs, fish, bees, insects, reptiles, birds and any other animal as may be prescribed by the Minister by statutory instrument;
“Animal feeds” means any single material or multiple materials, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, whether or not containing animal feeds additives, which are intended to be used for oral feeding to animals;
“Animal feeds additive” means a substance intentionally added to animal feeds to have a desired effect on the animal feeds, animals consuming the animal feeds or animal products;
“Animal feeds analyst” means a person designated as such under section 29;
“Animal feeds inspector” means a person designated as such under section 24;
“Committee” means the Animal Feeds Committee established under section 3;
“Body corporate” means an entity incorporated under the laws of Uganda, excluding a natural person;
“Currency point” has the value assigned to it in the Schedule to this Act;
“Established standards” means the standards developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards or any other body authorised under the laws of Uganda to set such standards;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for animal industry;
“Ministry” means the Ministry responsible for animal industry;
“Person” means an individual, company, association or body corporate of persons;
“Premises” includes any land, building or other place where animal feeds is produced, stored or sold;
“Produce” includes formulating, manufacturing, compounding, mixing or constituting animal feeds.
