Bill To Create Database For Goats, Cows Scales 2nd Reading At Senate

The Nigerian Senate is considering a bill that will create a database for goats and cows. 

The bill for an act to provide for National Livestock Bureau which scaled second reading during plenary on Tuesday, April 20, was sponsored by Muhammad Enagi (APC Niger South). 

The agency if created, will be in charge of "identification, traceability and registration of livestocks" such as cows and goats, while also ensuring the protection, management and control of all livestocks in the country. 

According to Enagi, the bill will help address diseases and other threats to human lives caused by the movement of livestocks, while adding that the agency in charge will also ensure that animal products being imported into, or sold in Nigeria are easily traceable to ensure human safety. 

It is also expected to create a national livestock identification database, control movement of livestocks; ensuring their management to prevent disease outbreaks; ensuring safety, transparency and information in food chain, as well as the prevention of cattle rustling to end the prolonged herder/famer conflict in Nigeria. 

Senator Enagi said livestock identification by the agency will include ownership and other details like breed, sex, birthplace and origin.