Question NW3435 to the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
22 November 2023 - NW3435
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether the process of drafting the proposed new Animal Welfare Act (AWA), has been put out to public tender; if not, who is drafting the new AWA; if so, (a) what progress has been made with the specified tender, (b) at what stage is the drafting of the new AWA and (c) what timeline does she envisage for the completion of the AWA, including the (i) completion of the drafting, (ii) public participation hearings, (iii) request for submissions thereon and (iv) submission to Cabinet; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. No. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has recently added additional internal capacity in the form of 3 state veterinarians, who are currently handling the animal welfare portfolio; DALRRD will therefore not proceed with tenders for the drafting of the Animal Welfare Bill. The first draft is expected to be completed by March 2024 and the Bill will follow the normal legislation-making process including processing through the relevant Directors General Cluster System; conducting a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment; constitutional certification by the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor; obtaining Cabinet approval to gazette for public comments etc. Thereafter, once Cabinet approval is obtained for the submission of the Bill to Parliament, the Bill will be introduced, and the parliamentary process will apply, including further public participation to be conducted in accordance with the Rules of Parliament.
2.No.