Rwanda: New Animal Husbandry Law Requirements Mandate Farmer Registration

• Rwanda's new animal husbandry and fisheries law, published September 11, 2026, mandates farmer registration and animal movement certificates.
• Livestock farmers will be categorized as small, medium, or large scale, with specific requirements varying by class.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) is developing an electronic system for animal movement authorizations.
• This electronic system will allow for smartphone applications and facilitate tracking of animal movements and verification of transport conditions.
• Ministerial orders are currently being drafted to provide detailed implementation procedures for the new regulations.

The new law mandates the registration of all livestock farmers and introduces a requirement for official certification for the movement and transportation of animals.

Rwanda has enacted a comprehensive new legal framework for its animal husbandry and fisheries sectors, with the "Law governing animal husbandry and fisheries" officially published on September 11, 2026. This legislation introduces significant new requirements for livestock farmers, primarily mandating their registration and establishing a system for official certification of animal movement and transportation. The specifics of these new regulations, including detailed implementation procedures, are slated to be defined through subsequent ministerial orders.

A key provision of the new law is the compulsory registration of all livestock farmers, who will be classified into distinct categories: small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale. The precise criteria for determining these classifications will be outlined in forthcoming ministerial orders. This categorization aims to acknowledge the varying capacities and responsibilities among farmers, ensuring that obligations and requirements are tailored appropriately.

According to Jean Claude Ndorimana, Director General of Animal Resources Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), this classification system will also enable the government to better assess the needs of different farmer groups and optimize the allocation of resources across the sector. The overarching goal is to create a more structured and responsive regulatory environment for animal husbandry in Rwanda.

Central to the implementation of the new animal husbandry law is the development of an electronic system designed to manage animal movement authorizations. MINAGRI is spearheading this initiative, which will allow users to request and receive movement authorizations through a digital platform, accessible even via smartphones. This system is intended to streamline the process, making it more efficient for farmers and authorities alike.

The planned electronic service, which forms part of the broader Agriculture Management Information System (AMIS) being developed by the ministry, will enable authorized users to track animal movements effectively. It will also facilitate the verification of transport conditions, ensuring compliance with the new regulations. AMIS is envisioned as the primary platform for requesting and providing most animal husbandry and fisheries services in the future.

Beyond movement certification, the new law also imposes strict requirements concerning animal welfare during transit. Article 53 explicitly mandates that any animal transportation must be conducted in a manner that safeguards the animal's health and welfare. Additionally, Article 54 extends these quality preservation requirements to the transportation of animal products. The specific procedures for upholding these animal welfare and product quality standards will be detailed in upcoming ministerial orders.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources is actively engaged in preparing the necessary ministerial orders that will provide the detailed guidance for implementing the new animal husbandry and fisheries law. These crucial orders will encompass a wide range of topics, including the conservation and improved rearing of indigenous breeds, regulations concerning animal diseases and veterinary medicine, and protocols for the inspection and movement of animals and animal products, as well as fisheries management.

A multisectoral technical team is currently responsible for drafting these orders. Following an initial consultation phase with various stakeholders, the draft documents will be submitted to the Rwanda Law Reform Commission for thorough review before proceeding to the subsequent stages of approval. This consultative and review process underscores the comprehensive approach being taken to ensure robust and effective regulations.

In parallel with the development of these implementation guidelines, MINAGRI also plans to conduct extensive awareness campaigns to inform the public and affected stakeholders about the new law and its requirements. Furthermore, the ministry is committed to the continued development of the Agriculture Management Information System (AMIS) to fully support the delivery of all animal husbandry and fisheries services under the new regulatory framework.

Lawyers advising agricultural clients or livestock businesses in Rwanda must prepare for mandatory farmer registration and new electronic certification requirements for animal movement and transport. Compliance officers should monitor the upcoming ministerial orders for detailed implementation procedures, category criteria, and specific compliance obligations to ensure their operations or clients remain compliant.

Source: Original reporting via The New Times.