National Water Bill; Animal Improvement Bill: discussion

Meeting report

AGRICULTURE, WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
4 August 1998
NATIONAL WATER BILL; ANIMAL IMPROVEMENT BILL: DISCUSSION

SUMMARY
The committee passed the National Water Bill as amended by the NCOP, and started discussions on the Animal Improvement Bill.

DETAILED MINUTES
The first topic on the agenda was that of the proposed amendments to Bill 34B by the NCOP. Since the amendments were minor, the committee as a whole accepted the amendments. The Chairperson then went through the formal vote on the Bill. The ANC voted for the Bill (13), the NP against (4) and the IFP abstained. The Bill was therefore accepted.

The discussion then moved to the Bill 28B, the Animal Improvement Bill. Two guest speakers were there to inform the committee members on this Bill, paying especial attention to the topic of animal cloning.

There was concern expressed by ANC members as to the effects that these experiments and methods may have on human beings. These members requested to be educated on the topic.

Unfortunately the speakers were unable to complete their briefing on the subject of animal cloning due to time constraints. The Chair decided that members could ask questions on the following day, when the next meeting is held and both officials will available.

The committee was chaired by Mr. J. Arendse, as Ms. Love was on maternity leave.