Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2026.
The following statement was made by the Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan) during the Second Reading of the Veterinary Practice Bill on 8 April 2026:
As we have observed a growth in the range of animal-related services offered by non-vets that may pose a risk to animal health and welfare, Part 4 of the Bill will introduce various offences and penalties to safeguard against unlawful practice and misrepresentation by or about unauthorised persons. The Bill will raise the maximum financial penalty to $50,000 – a $4,000 increase compared to the current level of $10,000 provided under the ABA. This strengthens deterrence against profit-driven motives and was benchmarked with penalties applicable in human healthcare professions. [Please refer to "Veterinary Practice Bill", Official Report, 8 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 28, Second Reading Bills section.]
*Written statement by Mr Alvin Tan circulated with the leave of the Speaker, in accordance with Standing Order No. 29(5): (proc text)]
I wish to make the following factual correction to my speech given during the Sitting of 8 April 2026. My statement should read as follows:
As we have observed a growth in the range of animal-related services offered by non-vets that may pose a risk to animal health and welfare, Part 4 of the Bill will introduce various offences and penalties to safeguard against unlawful practice and misrepresentation by or about unauthorised persons. The Bill will raise the maximum financial penalty to $50,000 – a $40,000 increase compared to the current level of $10,000 provided under the ABA. This strengthens deterrence against profit-driven motives and was benchmarked with penalties applicable in human healthcare professions.
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