Govt bills propose authorities to regulate bovine breeding, develop fisheries

Under the proposed law, penalties up to six months, simple imprisonment, and fines up to Rs 2 lakh have been decided for violators. The breeding activities that the authority will oversee include use of breeding bulls for production, processing, storage, sale, and distribution of semen, artificial insemination, and assisted reproductive technologies in bovines. The objective of the bill is to regulate and control “the quality of bovine semen used for breeding natural service and artificial insemination in the state”.

The proposed bill intends to regulate “transportation and use of low-quality semen from other states into Gujarat, haphazard and indiscriminate use of inferior bull and bull with unknown diseases, haphazard and indiscriminate use of semen straws by artificial insemination technicians” citing that it is of “great concern for deteriorating the quality of breeding and also the progeny born out of such breeding”. “Strict check in the quality of the semen, disease free status of the bulls used for production of semen is the need of time and it can only be brought in reality through the suitable legislation. The government therefore considers it expedient to enact a law for regulation of the bovine and other animals breeding activities in the state,” it says.

The proposed bill further encompasses improvement of bovines and other animals by regulating bovine breeding activities, such as use of bovine breeding bulls for production, processing, storage and sale and distribution of semen l, artificial insemination along with assisted reproductive technologies in bovines. The GBBRA will have jurisdiction across the state pertaining to bovine breeding activities and will appoint a team of experts for enquiry or inspection of any person or premises.

Meanwhile, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill proposes to set up Gujarat State Fisheries Harbour and Aquaculture Development Authority to develop fisheries sector in a comprehensive manner and for integrated and specialized approach to governing of fisheries.

The proposed authority will regulate, promote, and manage fishing sector, including aquaculture-related activities. It is likely to play a key role in licensing, quality control, infrastructure support and financial assistance, while ensuring a balanced and sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture in the state. The authority is proposed to have 24 members.