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Drafted Bill: Criminal Offence to use animal manure ... Really?

My fellow farmers, have you heard of the drafted bill by the government that will make you a criminal if you are found using animal manure? if the inspectors land on your farm and your are found using manure, you will have 3 years in jail. I don't understand what kind of non-sense is this. saying that they are bringing order in the agriculture sector. Really.. Where are these funny decisions coming from?:mad: Ama niko peke yangu hapa? Not even to mention the other funny milk bill which they say it is a rumour.
 
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Janssen

Admin
Hello @Ronald Ombachi, it is indeed frustrating that this bill is being considered as it will affect many farmers and the punishment is too great.

On the other hand, if you use manure improperly it DOES have the risk of making your consumers sick. So instead of this harsh bill, the government should instead consider implementing a PROPER EDUCATION SYSTEM. I found some steps to properly use manure below:

Tips for Avoiding Contamination by Manure
  1. Don't use fresh manure. The fresher the manure, the more of a chance it will be high in nitrogen and ammonia, which can burn plant roots and even inhibit seed germination. If the manure is from a plant-eating animal, it is probably also full of weed seeds, which will not be inhibited from sprouting.
  2. If you still want to make use of fresh manure, don't apply it after your garden has been planted. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends an application window of 120 days prior to harvesting and eating any vegetable where the edible part comes in contact with the ground. That includes anything grown below the ground (beets, carrots, potatoes, radishes, etc.) as well as anything sitting on the ground, like lettuce, spinach, and even vining crops like cucumbers and squash. You can apply fresh manure up to 90 days for vegetables that are far enough away from the soil that nothing will splash up on them but err on the side of caution.
  3. Instead of using manure as a fertilizer, use it as a soil conditioner. Add fresh manure in the fall, for spring planting. It will have time to work into the soil and compost. Wait until all vegetables have been harvested before adding.
  4. As a substitute, side dress with composted manure during the growing season. Manure that is composted lessens the risk of contamination, especially if the pile heats up to 140 F or more. You can purchase composted manure or, if you have a source of fresh manure, compost it yourself. Stephen Reiners, Cornell University horticulturist, says hot summer temperatures will usually kill E. coli.
  5. If you are getting your manure locally, inquire at the farm if their animals have had any health problems.
  6. If you are buying packaged manure, the bag should state whether it is pathogen-free. Don't assume that just because it is sold as fertilizer that it is fully composted.
  7. Any precautions related to using manure also apply to using manure tea.
  8. Since root crops (beets, carrots, radishes) and leafy vegetables (chard, lettuce, spinach) are the most susceptible to contamination, be sure to wash all vegetables well and possibly peel before eating. Cooking will also kill pathogens.
  9. If you have been susceptible to foodborne illness in the past, avoid eating any uncooked vegetables fertilized with manure. Children, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and people with chronic diseases should also avoid eating them.
  10. Thoroughly wash your hands and nails before and after harvesting produce grown with manure.
Article Source: TheSpruce.com
 

Maureen W

Author
It is sad, to see this since most of farmers here in Kenya including myself practice mixed farming, I have always taken the manure from my diary cows to my garden. Now where do I dispose the manure if not to my shamba? I can bet that most of my friends here would agree with me.
This does not make sense at all, although I have a feeling that there is something behind this regulations that is only meant to benefit the big fish. Hunger and Poverty will strike us dead with such misleading government leadership. Or can someone out there tell me they've had issues when using manure on their farms.
 

nedward

Moderator
It is sad, to see this since most of farmers here in Kenya including myself practice mixed farming, I have always taken the manure from my diary cows to my garden. Now where do I dispose the manure if not to my shamba? I can bet that most of my friends here would agree with me.
This does not make sense at all, although I have a feeling that there is something behind this regulations that is only meant to benefit the big fish. Hunger and Poverty will strike us dead with such misleading government leadership. Or can someone out there tell me they've had issues when using manure on their farms.
 
My fellow farmers, have you heard of the drafted bill by the government that will make you a criminal if you are found using animal manure? if the inspectors land on your farm and your are found using manure, you will have 3 years in jail. I don't understand what kind of non-sense is this. saying that they are bringing order in the agriculture sector. Really.. Where are these funny decisions coming from?:mad: Ama niko peke yangu hapa? Not even to mention the other funny milk bill which they say it is a rumour.
Some companies manufacturing fertilizers may get involved in such scandles but thats atotal mess i have never heard here let the minister of agriculture intervein
 
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