By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Senate passes bill to ban open grazing amid controversy.
Senators engaged in fervent debates as a bill to ban open grazing received a second reading during the legislative session. The proposed law, if enacted, will nationwide prohibit open grazing, aiming to resolve enduring conflicts between herders and farmers.
Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West, sponsored the bill, which outlines specific regulations for the establishment and management of ranches, promoting best practices and mitigating disputes between herders and farmers.
Zam emphasized the need for the proposed commission to manage, regulate, and preserve ranches across the country, stating, “The proposed National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission is for management, preservation, and control of ranches throughout Nigeria.”
However, the bill faced staunch opposition from Senator Danjuma Goje from Gombe and his counterpart from Kebbi, Adamu Aliero. They argued that cattle rearing and ranching activities were more prevalent in the North and should not be legislated for only a section of the country.
Supporters of the bill contended that the proposed Commission would manage the farmers/herders crisis, hence it should be passed. After a voice vote, the bill was passed and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Legal Matters to be reviewed in four weeks.
The measure is designed to address the challenges and conflicts associated with cattle rearing, ensuring a more structured and sustainable approach to the industry.
open grazing, ranches
Senate passes bill to ban open grazing amid controversy