MELAKA TO TABLE LIVESTOCK ENACTMENT AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS STRAYS

JASIN, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government will table amendments to the livestock enactment at the next State Legislative Assembly session to strengthen enforcement against stray livestock, following the rollout of a quick-response (QR) coding system for cattle and buffalo.

State executive councillor for Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, said the goal is to ensure farmers manage their livestock responsibly while reducing the risk of road accidents and crop damage.

“The amendments will specify penalties and fines according to the severity of the offence, ranging from stray livestock causing damage, crop destruction, accidents with minor or serious injuries, to cases resulting in fatalities,” he told reporters at Dataran Orang Kampung, Merlimau today.

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Earlier, he officiated the state-level Agro MADANI Sales Carnival, which was also attended by Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri. 

Muhamad Akmal emphasised that the initiative is not intended to punish farmers, but to remind and educate them that managing livestock is their responsibility while preventing incidents that could compromise public safety.

He added that the state government will require all cattle and buffalo to be tagged with QR codes from March onwards.

“The government will cover the full cost of tagging during the first six months as a grace period. During this time, all farmers must register with the Department of Veterinary Services to receive the tags, and tagging will be carried out in phases.

“After six months, farmers will bear the cost,” he said, adding that stray livestock found without tags after the deadline may be impounded and dealt with under the amended enactment.

-- BERNAMA