As part of efforts to halt clashes between farmers and herders, the Bayelsa State Government has banned open grazing of livestock in the state.
This is as Governor Douye Diri signed the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 on Monday.
“Bayelsa State welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives. The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states,” Diri said.
The law further stipulates that any herdsman found with arms, whether licenced or not, should be arrested.
“From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government,” he added.
The new law also prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry points into the state among others.
