Rationale for 12-month Disqualification Cap of Animals and Birds Act 1965 and Strengthening Disqualification Penalties for Serious Offences

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the rationale for the 12-month disqualification cap under section 43B of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 (ABA); (b) whether the Ministry will raise the maximum and introduce lifetime disqualification for the most serious cases; and (c) when the ongoing ABA review will be completed.

The disqualification order regime under section 43B of the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) was introduced via the 2014 amendments to ABA, following the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee's recommendations to strengthen animal welfare enforcement in 2013.

The National Parks Board (NParks) is undertaking a review of the ABA, including the disqualification order regime and penalties, to ensure that our regulatory framework remains effective in deterring animal cruelty. NParks has been engaging stakeholders as part of the review and details of the public consultation on the draft amendments will be shared later this year.