Filenews 16 November 2022 - by Angelos Nicolaou
In the modernization and improvement of the legislative framework concerning the creation and operation of livestock areas and the introduction of provisions related to ensuring the effective use and use of livestock plots by livestock farmers, provides for a bill that was approved yesterday by the Council of Ministers and will be submitted to the Parliament for its adoption into law. In addition, the proposed bill introduces the possibility of imposing administrative sanctions as well as extrajudicial fines by the competent Authority, in cases of violation of the provisions of the Law.
Through the bill, all provisions referring to the establishment, operation and responsibilities of Livestock Associations are removed. The definition of a farmer, pig and poultry farmer is also amended by removing the specific animals kept and the reference to the exclusion of the livestock trader is added.
Better use will be made of the available land for livestock purposes and will benefit professional livestock farmers who will want to expand their livestock activities.
The proposed legislation in relation to the old one aims to add provisions for the control of the proper functioning of the livestock area and specifically an inspector of livestock areas is appointed, violations of the tenant's obligations are recorded, a fine is imposed and the right of hierarchical appeal is given.
The administrative fine is imposed if conditions of the law are violated. Local Authorities are given the right to impose taxation on issues of cleanliness of the area, lighting, garbage collection and other measures to maintain good sanitary condition in the area.
This was preceded by a consultation, with respondents agreeing that in general the new legislative framework is in the right direction and can help solve the various problems observed in livestock areas.
It is estimated that through the bill, better use will be made of the available land for livestock purposes and will benefit professional breeders who will want to expand their livestock activities.
With better use of livestock plots there will be an increase in the production of livestock products as well as a need to increase the workforce and the sectors that support livestock farming (infrastructure, equipment, animal feed, veterinary medicines).
The proposed legislation requires the appointment of inspectors who will supervise the proper functioning of livestock areas and monitor the compliance of livestock farmers with their obligations.
There is a higher administrative cost than the existing legislation since in cases of hierarchical appeal, a relevant Report should be prepared by the Inspectors to inform the Minister of Agriculture. The administrative burden will depend on the degree of compliance of farmers with their obligations and the degree of utilization of the right of hierarchical appeal that farmers will have against the decision of the Department of Agriculture.
There will be positive effects on the health of the consumer, on employment and on the safety of livestock workers. With the better utilization of livestock plots there will be an increase in the production of livestock products as well as a need to increase the labor force in livestock units.
With the creation of new units, the various tasks will be automated, the proper management of livestock waste will create better working conditions and there will be a need for continuous training of livestock farmers to produce better quality products and better use of available resources.
Production of products within the premises
All premises must have been erected in accordance with the building permits where the provisions for safety in constructions are taken. The production of products within the premises should take place in accordance with the conditions set by law and protects the rights of consumers. Liquid and solid waste should be managed in the legal way to protect the environment and, by extension, the population. It is possible to create a livestock area in order to separate livestock plots that will be leased to livestock farmers for the construction of livestock farms. The creation of an organized livestock area is an incentive to move to it livestock units that operate in or near residential areas and cause nuisance.
Impact on the wider agricultural and livestock sector
With better use of livestock plots there will be an increase in the production of livestock products as well as a need to increase the workforce and the sectors that support livestock farming (infrastructure, equipment, animal feed, veterinary medicines). There may be a higher administrative cost since in cases of hierarchical appeal a report will have to be prepared by the inspectors to inform the minister.
At the same time, there are expected to be positive effects in terms of protecting the environment from livestock waste. Liquid and solid waste should be managed in the legal way to protect the environment and, by extension, the population.
