Animal Husbandry Act

The Act regulates provisions in order to organize animal husbandry more efficiently, develop the animal husbandry industry and animal breeding, increase the quality and quantity of livestock products, encourage the private sector’s investment in animal husbandry, and to improve the country’s economy through the development of the animal husbandry economy. The Act consists of 30 articles, divided into 5 Chapters; General Provisions (I); Duties and Authorities of the Animal Husbandry Department (II); Permits (III); Production and Importation of Animal and Livestock (IV); Miscellaneous Provisions (V). The Animal Husbandry Department, which is working as part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, has the authority to: prepare national plans, strategies, policies, and guidelines on animal husbandry affairs; provide services on animal nutrition, breeding and reproduction; do research on animal-related topics; protect local animals; build scientific farms; facilitate financial affairs; issue permits to build animal husbandry farms; control the quality of the animal food; encourage creation of cooperatives and associations. In order to organize the animal husbandry services and improve the stockbreeder’s situation in the country, the Act establishes the Animal Husbandry Technical Board. The Board has the authority to make technical decisions on animal husbandry’s policies, provide technical consultancy for development of the animal husbandry sector, and evaluate the fundamental issues on the governmental and private animal husbandry sector. Any real or legal person who aims to create animal husbandry farm should get a permit from the Animal Husbandry Department. The permit will be issued on the following conditions: the farm is going to be built for keeping animals and production of animal products; the farm is built in a proper land; a business plan exists for the development of the animal husbandry farm. The farm owner is obliged to comply with the regulations of this Act, follow the required technical rules, protect the surrounding environment, vaccinate the animals, inform authorities of the outbreak of animal diseases, and keep animals in the farm under constant observance of the veterinary. The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock is required to create and maintain technical and financial connections with relevant international organizations.