The 9th Nigerian Senate is considering a bill seeking to create a database for cows and goats.
The bill for an act to provide for National Livestock Bureau which scaled second reading during plenary Tuesday was sponsored by Muhammad Enagi (APC Niger south).
The agency, if created, will be in charge of identification, traceability and registration of livestock such as cows and goats to among other things curb cattle rustling while ensuring the protection, control and management of all livestock in Nigeria.
It is also expected to create a national livestock identification database; control movement of livestock; ensuring their management to prevent disease outbreaks; ensuring food safety, transparency and information in the food chain, as well as the prevention of cattle rustling to end the prolonged farmer/herder conflict in Nigeria.
According to the sponsor, the bill will help address the diseases and other threats to human lives caused by the movement of livestock.
He said the agency in charge will also ensure that animal products being imported into, or sold in, Nigeria are easily traced to ensure human safety.
The senator said livestock identification by the agency will include ownership and other details including their origin, birthplace, sex and breed.
After deliberating on the bill, the red chamber referred it to its committee on agriculture and rural development for further action.
A similar bill introduced in the previous Senate did not get the required endorsement.
