Livestock farmers oppose proposed tax law in Oyo

Addressing journalists at the end of a special meeting, the chairperson of the Catfish Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Awoyomi Kolade, noted with concern that the bill presently before the state House of Assembly, if passed into law would have adverse effect on the livestock business in the state.“Apart from bringing about high cost of the […]

Addressing journalists at the end of a special meeting, the chairperson of the Catfish Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Awoyomi Kolade, noted with concern that the bill presently before the state House of Assembly, if passed into law would have adverse effect on the livestock business in the state.
“Apart from bringing about high cost of the livestock, reduction in protein intake among children, the proposed tax would lead to unemployment,” the association stated, adding it would kill the agriculture sector.
 According to the chairperson, if the bill scaled through, it would force many of the livestock farmers who are among high labour employers in the state out of business.
 To guard against the negative consequences, therefore, the association advised government to introduce flat rate rather than contemplating the idea that farmers should be taxed based on their stock.
 The association also stated that the idea of employment of veterinary surgeon as proposed by the bill should not be a condition for registration.
 “We are not opposing registration, but we are saying that if the fee is too much, it can cripple our businesses.  We need registration for good data base, for good planning and possibly for government assistance, but the registration fee is too exorbitant,” she said.