Ministry withdraws draft bill on live animal exportation following concerns on animal welfare

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has withdrawn a draft Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill after receiving representations expressing concerns involving sensitivity and emotions related to animal welfare.

The ministry circulated the draft bill on June 7, 2023, and sought public comments and suggestions on regulating the export of live animals from India. In response to the concerns raised by animal rights activists and other groups, the ministry issued an office memorandum on Tuesday, officially withdrawing the draft bill.

The memorandum stated, "The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional/pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961."

The role of the Department of Animal husbandry and Dairying primarily pertains to support by having upgraded livestock health facilities, hygiene, etc., including animal welfare aspects for the overall development of the animal husbandry sector.

However, during the consultation process, it became apparent that stakeholders require more time to understand the proposed draft and provide further comments and suggestions. Additionally, representations expressing concerns on the proposed draft, involving sensitivity and emotions related to animal welfare, were received, indicating the need for wider consultation.

Considering these views and with the approval of the competent authority, the ministry announced the withdrawal of the proposed draft Bill.

The memorandum, signed by GN Singh, Joint Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, stated, "Considering these views and with the approval of the competent authority, the proposed draft Bill stands withdrawn."