Amid Criticism, Centre Withdraws Draft Bill On Export Of Live Animals

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has withdrawn a draft Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill after it got representations expressing concerns involving sensitivity and emotions related to animal welfare.

The ministry had circulated a draft of the bill on June 7, 2023, and sought public comments/suggestions on the draft bill that seeks to regulate the export of live animals from India.

On Tuesday, it issued an office memorandum withdrawing the draft bill amid concerns raised by animal rights activists and other groups.

"The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional/pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961," the memorandum said.

The role of the department of animal husbandry and dairying primarily pertains to support by having upgraded livestock health facilities, hygiene etc., including animal welfare aspects for overall development of the animal husbandry sector, it added.

"However, during the consultation, it has been viewed that enough time is required to understand the proposed draft and to make further comments/suggestions. Further, the representations have been made expressing concerns on the proposed draft involving sensitivity and emotions with animal welfare and related aspects, and, hence, would need wider consultation," the memorandum said.

Considering these views and with the approval of the competent authority, the proposed draft Bill stands withdrawn, the ministry said.

The memorandum has been issued by GN Singh, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

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