Khaw lauds MPs' work on animal welfare Bill

Inclusive committee, which took over two years, sought views widely
By David Ee, The Straits Times, 25 Oct 2014

NEW legislation to strengthen animal welfare here will not only give more bite to protection of animals, but it will also make parliamentary history.

In a blog post yesterday, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan praised the work of the MPs behind the rare Private Member's Bill tabled on Oct 7, hailing it as a "a big step forward" for both people and animals.

Post by Khaw Boon Wan.

The Bill, tabled by MPs Yeo Guat Kwang, Alex Yam, Gan Thiam Poh, Edwin Tong and Vikram Nair, was the fruit of more than two years of hard work and is set to be one of two such Bills to be passed in two decades.

Private Member's Bills are introduced by MPs who are not Cabinet ministers.

The last time one was passed in Parliament was in 1994, when then Nominated MP Walter Woon tabled the Maintenance of Parents Bill.

"In our Parliament's history, there have not been many Private Member's Bills. On Ministry of National Development (MND) matters, there has been none," said Mr Khaw.

Mr Christopher de Souza, an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, also tabled a Private Member's Bill on Oct 7 to combat human trafficking, with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr Khaw recalled how when he first spoke to MPs about updating legislation to protect animals further, a few "spoke out passionately". "We have many MPs who care a lot about animal welfare," he said.

He praised the work of the Animal Welfare Legislative Review Committee chaired by Mr Yeo; it was set up in April 2012 to review the issue.

First, Mr Khaw said, Mr Yeo was inclusive in inviting animal welfare activists, grassroots leaders and industry representatives to join the committee.

Second, the committee sought views widely, holding numerous public consultations. This was necessary as animal welfare evokes "strong reactions".

Third, he said, Mr Yeo "sought out common ground and settled on what was do-able and acceptable to most, if not all".

The committee's recommendations were submitted to MND in March last year. These were accepted in full.

Mr Khaw went on to say that while the usual next step would be for MND to work with the Attorney-General's Chambers to draft a Bill, he decided that it would be "wonderful" for Mr Yeo and other MPs to do so by tabling a Private Member's Bill.

The Bill will be debated by MPs on Nov 3. It requires pet owners to provide reasonable care for animals under their charge. Those who neglect their pets will, for the first time, face a fine and/or a jail term.

Under the proposed amendments to the Animals and Birds Act, penalties for animal abuse will be increased and staff in animal-related businesses are required to be trained in animal care.

The Bill will also let the authorities adopt codes setting new standards on animal welfare.

The Bill, said Mr Khaw, "reflects a diversity of perspectives from animal lovers and those who are less comfortable being around animals".

"We need the understanding and cooperation of all, as we try to balance these diverse views. The key objective is to achieve a harmonious living environment for everyone."

Details of proposed animal law unveiled
Animal-related businesses will have grace period to meet requirements
By David Ee, The Straits Times, 28 Oct 2014

ANIMAL-RELATED businesses would be given time to ensure that their staff meet the new training requirements under proposed laws for better animal welfare.

A grace period of one to two years would allow animal handlers at these businesses, such as pet grooming services, pet hotels and horse-riding schools, to meet the requirements.

The leeway would give these businesses more time to prepare themselves, said Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC, at a media briefing yesterday to provide more details about the Bill. Mr Yeo and his fellow MPs - Mr Alex Yam, Mr Gan Thiam Poh, Mr Edwin Tong and Mr Vikram Nair - had tabled the Private Member's Bill in Parliament earlier this month.

Among the proposed amendments to the Animals and Birds Act is a requirement for staff working with animals in relevant businesses to be trained in animal care and handling. The precise training requirements will be published at a later date, said Mr Yeo.

He added that a panel formed by the Government last year to strengthen collaboration for animal welfare will work with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to standardise the training and raise the number of training providers.

The Bill also requires those in charge of animals, including pet owners, animal shelters and animal fosterers, to ensure reasonable care for them. Those who neglect their animals will, for the first time, face a fine of up to $20,000 and/or a two-year jail term.

Animal abusers will face fines of up to $30,000 and/or a three- year jail term, up from fines of up to $10,000 and/or a one-year jail term. Animal-related businesses that contravene the proposed law face fines of up to $100,000 and/or a three-year jail term, up from up to $10,000 in fines and/or a one-year jail term.

Under the Bill, enforcement officers would be able to refer to any photographic, audio or video evidence to investigate animal cruelty offences. Previously, they had to have witnessed the offence.

The proposed penalties are lower than those recommended by a panel chaired by Mr Yeo and set up by the Government in 2012 to review animal welfare laws.

Mr Yam, an MP for Choa Chu Kang GRC, explained that this was to keep the penalties for animal cruelty proportional to those for similar offences against people. "(For) an act of cruelty to an animal, it's very hard... to say it warrants a higher fine or summon or penalty than a similar act to a human," he said.

The Bill will be debated in Parliament on Monday.

Related
Yeo Guat Kwang: An animal’s life is still a life
Christopher de Souza: If I can save one person, it will be worth it
Amendments to the Animals and Birds Act passed in Parliament