Yard sorting: the number of laying hens and burren on the plots may be limited
The State Duma is considering a new initiative that allows regions to independently regulate the number of farm animals and poultry on household plots. The problem has been around for a long time: the lack of restrictions on livestock in private households leads to neighbors complaining about noise and odors, and also increases the risk of epidemics. At the same time, fines for unsanitary conditions have remained at a minimum for 18 years. The authors of the initiative hope that the new rules will help reduce conflicts and strengthen veterinary control, as well as increase fines. Details can be found in the Izvestia article.
Veterinary control and animal diseases
The problem of epizootic safety (the spread of diseases in animals. — Izvestia) It is especially acute in small-scale rural farms.
Anatoly Velmatov, Executive Director of the National Association of Turkey Producers (NAPI), considers the initiative reasonable.
— The draft law on regional regulation of livestock in private farms is timely and justified from a veterinary and sanitary point of view. It should be understood that farms produce products for personal consumption with the possibility of selling surpluses, this is not a systemic commerce," the expert explains.
The initiative does not limit entrepreneurial activity, but only ensures security, adds Anatoly Velmatov.
The main risk is the circulation of viruses in animals in biologically unprotected farms, and concerns were confirmed by the practice with African swine fever and avian influenza back in 2008. Veterinary services are not able to control millions of farms, and therefore preventive rationing of livestock is a reasonable step, the expert explains.
On the contrary, Mikhail Vasiliev, professor of the Department of Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise at the Kazan State Academy of Veterinary Medicine named after N.E. Bauman, considers the initiative to be inconsistent with state policy.
— Additional regulatory measures in this matter do not quite correspond to the state policy on the development of animal husbandry in our country. The veterinary rules approved by the Ministry of Agriculture already set standards depending on the size of the site and sanitary gaps, however, the implementation of standards by regulatory authorities is extremely difficult due to the lack of authority, the expert explains.
Mikhail Vasiliev believes that the key to the solution is to improve control, not to adopt new restrictions.
Izvestia sent inquiries to the Rosselkhoznadzor, the office of Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rospotrebnadzor.
Fines for unsanitary conditions in household plots remain ridiculously small — from 100 to 500 rubles.
The boundaries of sanitary regulation and administrative pressure
The issue is hotly debated among experts: they are looking for a middle ground between protecting health and putting excessive pressure on citizens.
— Reasonable sanitary and epidemiological regulation is based on current veterinary regulations. These rules set minimum distances to the borders of neighboring plots — at least 10 m, — says Anatoly Velmatov. — The proposed regional rationing of livestock is not excessive administrative pressure, as it is aimed at protecting both animal owners themselves from diseases and their neighbors from environmental stress.
At the same time, Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev, a lawyer at the Russian Bar Association, highlights important legal aspects.
— These restrictions are unlikely to be able to resolve neighboring conflicts, since the reasons are hidden not in the number of animals, but in the conditions of detention. Sanitary requirements already exist, and regulatory authorities have the right to demand their compliance. Article 34 of the Constitution guarantees the freedom to use property for entrepreneurial activities. The proposed initiative contradicts this," he believes.
According to the lawyer, additional regulation will be superfluous if the activity goes beyond personal consumption and is of a commercial nature: this is already regulated by the tax service.
Petr Korotchenko, a member of the agricultural committee of the Stavropol Territory Duma, ex-mayor of Cherkessk, notes the social risks.
— Restrictions are imposed from above through federal law instead of using municipal powers and local landscaping regulations. Such centralization leads to the concentration of livestock in large enterprises and a reduction in the number of small farms, which contradicts the country's food security and indirectly affects the reduction of the rural population," he explains.
The involvement of local authorities in regulation and the specifics of the regions
Sergey Kiselyov, Head of the Department of Agroeconomics at Moscow State University, believes that it is important to accurately differentiate norms depending on territories and localities.
— At the same time, it is necessary to take into account different levels of regional and municipal government, as well as their specifics, — he explains.
Olga Bashmachnikova, Vice President of AKKOR, calls for comprehensive measures to support and encourage the transition of private farms to family farms.
— If rural farmsteads are forced to register as peasant farms (farms) on pain of fines, people will simply leave. If we provide for the concept of a family farm, real benefits and assistance in solving problems, then active families will become farmers. It is impossible to ban without offering alternatives, otherwise we will lose the private farms that exist now," Olga Bashmachnikova is sure.
She also draws attention to the double standards in relation to large enterprises and small farms, citing the example of the Pskov region.
According to the expert, the evaluation criteria of regional authorities should take into account the dynamics of small business and the rural population.
Food security and the market of environmentally friendly products
Risks to food stability are one of the key aspects, but, according to Anatoly Velmatov, in this case they are minimal.
— The share of private farms in total agricultural production is about 25%, and the trend towards reduction continues. Large enterprises form the basis of food safety. Regulation of livestock contributes to the improvement of living conditions and product quality," he said.
However, Vladimir Vinogradov, CEO of Pro-Vision Communications, is confident that there are risks.
— Restrictions can lead to a reduction in local production of natural products, increase import dependence and increase prices by 10-15%. This will negatively affect the availability of high-quality food for the population. It is important to provide for measures to support small farmers in the draft law, the expert believes.
Environmental and veterinary safety
Anna Tyuzhina, coordinator of the Law for the Protection of Animals in Agriculture program, sees the benefits of restricting livestock for animals and the environment.
— The measure will reduce the discontent of neighbors, increase the welfare of animals by increasing space, improving ventilation and temperature conditions, reducing stress and morbidity. Regulation will help bring private farms out of the shadows, she is sure.
The expert also warns about the risks of mass slaughter of animals without stunning and advises to take into account regional peculiarities, provide support and control so that animals do not become hostages of innovations.
Khadzhimurad Belkharoev, an Ingush economist and an IMEB expert at the RUDN University Faculty of Economics, notes that the rural population is decreasing every year, young people are moving to cities, and mostly elderly people remain in rural areas.
— The draft law on animal limits will create an additional burden on both rural residents and local administrations, who will find it difficult to keep records. Respectable cattle owners are already registering animals and paying taxes," the expert says.
It is almost impossible to take into account all small animals on household plots. The current administrative requirements are perceived as excessive pressure, undermining the traditional way of rural life, he is sure.
Strengthening these measures will lead to the fact that rural residents will cease to be producers and turn into consumers, which will increase the burden on the state, Belkharoev concluded.
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