Gandhinagar: With the objective of ensuring the prosperity of livestock farmers in the state, protecting livestock health and ensuring quality livestock feed, the ‘Gujarat Livestock Feed, Poultry Feed and Mineral Mixture (Regulation of Production, Storage, Distribution, Sale and Quality Control) Bill-2026’, introduced in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly by Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani, was passed unanimously by the House.
This legislation has been enacted to safeguard the health of the state’s extensive livestock population, comprising more than 106 lakh buffaloes, more than 96 lakh cows, as well as sheep, goats and poultry, and to increase milk productivity. Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani stated that the Bill is based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “One Health” approach. It will protect genuine manufacturers and livestock farmers who follow the law, while strict action will be taken against those involved in unethical practices. Passed unanimously by the House, the Bill will help Gujarat’s livestock sector move towards the goal of a “Healthy Animal – Prosperous Livestock Farmer –Empowered Rural Economy.”
The Bill introduces several stringent provisions to bring transparency and quality to the livestock feed business.
– It will now be mandatory to obtain a licence for the production, storage and sale of livestock feed, poultry feed and mineral mixtures.
– Every manufacturer will now be required to mandatorily comply with the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
– Samples of livestock feed will be periodically analysed and tested.
– Regulations for packaging and labelling have also been prescribed to prevent misleading advertisements and deceptive branding.
– The Minister has expressed his firm resolve to take strict action against those who deceive livestock farmers and manufacture adulterated feed.
The Bill provides for the following penalties and punishments:
– Manufacturing substandard feed: Fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh and suspension of licence for up to 1 year.
– Misleading branding: Fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh and suspension of licence for up to 3 years.
– Adulterated feed (if no death occurs): Immediate cancellation of licence, imprisonment for 1 year and fine of up to Rs. 5 lakh.
– Death of an animal due to adulterated feed: Cancellation of licence, imprisonment of 7 to 10 years and fine of up to Rs. 10 lakh.
The Minister clarified that this Bill is not anti-industry, but is aimed against “businesses that compromise on quality.” The licensing process will be made completely online and faceless so that industry stakeholders do not face any unnecessary harassment. Furthermore, farmers who prepare feed at home for their own livestock or produce feed for research purposes have been exempted from the provisions of this law.
In conclusion, Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani firmly stated that a healthy animal, prosperous livestock farmer and empowered rural economy are the core resolve of our government. During the discussion on the Bill in the Legislative Assembly, all Members enthusiastically and positively participated, presented their valuable suggestions and wholeheartedly welcomed the Bill. In particular, Assembly Speaker Shri Shankarbhai Chaudhary also provided guidance regarding the Bill. The Speaker wholeheartedly congratulated Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and Animal Husbandry Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani for bringing this important Bill with a proactive approach towards the welfare and health protection for animals.