Animals and Birds (Amendment) Bill

Mdm Speaker, I beg to move*, "That leave be given to introduce a Bill to amend the Animals and Birds Act (Chapter 7 of the 2002 Revised Edition)."

*The Motion also stood in the names of Mr Alex Yam, Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Mr Vikram Nair and Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai.

Some brief comments, Madam, please. Mdm Speaker, I speak on behalf of the hon Member Mr Yeo Guat Kwang who had accepted Minister Khaw Boon Wan's suggestion for him to set up the Animal Welfare and Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC) in February 2012. I had accepted Mr Yeo's invitation to be part of the AWLRC, as well as to be part of the team of Members in drafting this Bill. I am happy to say that we are now ready to move the Bill following many months of hard work.

Madam, beyond strengthening the legislation, the primary aim of our review is to emphasise animal welfare as a shared responsibility amongst all stakeholders and to continue the ground-up approach taken by the AWLRC.

I also chair the Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Committee (MSCC), which arose as a recommendation of the ALWRC, to have a platform for stakeholders to share their views, build mutual understanding on animal welfare and collaborate together in promoting animal welfare in Singapore. Ensuring and strengthening animal welfare should not be seen solely as the responsibility of the Government, but the responsibility of everyone who plays a part in an animal's life cycle. To this end, there are three main areas to call attention in this Bill.

The first is requiring owners and persons in charge to provide reasonable care for animals placed under their charge. Those who own and care for animals must bear the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of the animal.

The second is requiring staff working with animals in animal-related businesses to be trained in animal care and handling. This requirement for training would extend to animal welfare organisations and facilities and help to safeguard that carers and handlers in these businesses and organisations have a certain level of training.

Finally, to underscore the severity of animal welfare offences and to increase deterrence, higher penalties are proposed for businesses and repeat offenders to better distinguish between the nature of the offender – whether individual or animal-related – and the type of offence – whether it is first-time or repeat offender. The Bill will also strengthen

Page: 51

the enforcement powers of the Government. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

"That leave be given to introduce a Bill to amend the Animals and Birds Act (Chapter 7 of the 2002 Revised Edition)."

Who is prepared to introduce the Bill?

I am, Madam.

Please proceed.

Mdm Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Animals and Birds Act (Chapter 7 of the 2002 Revised Edition)."

Bill read the First time.

Second Reading, what day?

The next available sitting, Madam.

So be it.

Page: 52