The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has suspended the draft dairy regulations 2019 following massive pressure from the public and farmers.
Managing Director, Margaret Kibogy said that the current regulations , will be put on hold in order to allow for more consultation and public participation.
The board cited the various comments on social media as well as misinterpretations of facts and intentions of the regulations.
Most farmers had criticised the bill on grounds that the new laws will sabotage the dairy sector and will create a loophole for cheap milk products to be imported from neighbouring countries.
Earlier on, KDB had dismissed the allegations that the proposed milk bill was meant to stifle the dairy sector.
“The proposed regulations do not in any way attempt to create any monopoly or stifle the dairy sector but are meant to enhance and promote sustainability of the sector to the benefit of all stakeholders,” Kibogy said.
Some of the factors that necessitated the review include: “need to update the policy and regulations in line with the liberalised nature of the industry; the rapidly changing technological innovations; response to consumer demands for quality and safe products and to respond to increasing incidences of malpractices in the milk trade,”
If it was approved by Parliament, the law would illegalise selling raw milk which has not undergone pasteurization, and this will only be restricted to cooperatives or registered companies or group of farmers who have been authorized by the dairy board.
