Moves to boost livestock industry

Bandula Gunasekara, Matara staff corr.

The Livestock Development Ministry has made arrangements to revise the 29th Animal Enactment 1958 that was in force from 1958 to control the rapid increase of cattle theft, said Ministry Secretary Geetha Rathnayake.

The Ministry has decided to prepare drafts to increase the Rs. 250 fine imposed for cattle theft up to Rs. 5,000 and also to impose a two year imprisonment.

The Ministry will popularise fresh milk to uplift the dairy farmers.

Steps have been taken to register all the cattle and to tie a plate mentioning the village and the divisional secretariat division on the animal as an easy way to identify them.

Action has also been taken to appoint committees with Public Health Inspectors, Veterinary Surgeons, Police Officers and Grama Niladharies to raid unauthorised abattoirs.