Question NW2331 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

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01 December 2021 - NW2331

Profile picture: Phillips, Ms C

Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

1. With reference to her reply to question 798 on 24 March 2021, specifically with reference to the draft Animal Welfare Bill, (a) what are the reasons that her department did not (i) follow the parliamentary process of issuing a Green Paper, followed by a White Paper, enabling interested parties to give comments, suggestions and ideas regarding the draft Animal Welfare Bill and (ii) initiate a public participation process and (b) at what stage in the process does her department intend to do so; (2) how has her department taken into account the welfare recommendations of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment High Level Panel regarding the management of lion, elephant, rhino and leopard, which was accepted by Cabinet; (3) whether her department involved the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in the drafting of the draft Animal Welfare Bill; if not, why not; if so, what are the full relevant details of such involvement; (4) whether the National Council of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has been involved in the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the full relevant details of such involvement and (b) which other animal welfare organisations have been involved in the drafting of the Animal Welfare Act?

Reply:

(1) As responded to in March 2021, the proposed Animal Welfare Bill has not been introduced to Parliament due to reasons advanced in the response. The Bill is still in its infancy and currently only an internal departmental (DALRRD and Provincial Departments of Agriculture) document. The department will not extend the process of drafting the proposed Animal Welfare Bill as far back as Green and White Papers. The reason for this is that the draft Bill is not a new policy direction since it aims to consolidate and update animal welfare issues which are currently dealt with in different pieces of legislation. Full consultation is however envisaged with all stakeholders after the necessary approvals have been obtained within the department.

(2) The Department is in communication with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the High Level Panel on the management of lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Some of the recommendations will be addressed in the draft Animal Welfare Bill, however, the Departments are considering drafting regulations under the current Animals Protection Act, 1962 (Act No. 71 of 1962) to address the issues that have been identified in the report and require additional regulations.

(3) The response under part (1) above addresses the question.

(4) The response under part (1) above addresses the question.

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