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Central government The Livestock and Livestock Products (Import and Export) Bill, 2023 draft has taken back. Alive if this bill is passed animals There was a possibility of opening the way for the export of
While withdrawing the draft of this bill, the Center said that during the consultation on this bill, it has been seen that more time is needed to take people’s opinion, understand the bill, read and give suggestions. Let us tell you what about the bill Controversy Was it and why was it withdrawn?
What is Live Animal Export Bill?
The Live Animal Export Bill, if passed, would have replaced the Livestock Import Act, 1898 and the Livestock (Amendment) Act, 2001. The new bill was about to issue new guidelines for import and export of live animals. This increased the concern of animal lovers. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, prepared a new draft of the bill and released it.
The draft came in the public domain on 7 June. Suggestions and comments were sought from the people on this draft. 10 days time was given for this. There are a total of 10 sections in this 4-page bill.
What is the meaning of withdrawing the bill?
The deadline for consultation on this bill ended on 17 June. The organizations said that usually two months i.e. 60 days are given for discussion on such bills. 10 days is too short a time for this. The government, while withdrawing the Livestock Transport Bill 2023, admitted that during the consultation on this bill, it has been seen that more time is needed for consultation on this bill.
In the order, the government also said that in view of matters sensitive and sentiments towards animal welfare, there is a need for extensive consultation on it. Three important provisions of the new bill are different from the existing law. These provisions not only allow the export of live animals, but also increase the scope of import-export of live animals. Many animals including cats and dogs would come under the purview of the new bill. Along with this, it also takes away the powers of the state governments on livestock.
Why did the government want to bring a new bill?
The existing law regulating the import of livestock is 125 years old. The Livestock Importation Act, 1898, was brought before independence and before the formation of the constitution. Overall, in simple words, it was a bill brought by the British. Looking at the contemporary requirements and the current needs, the government wanted to upgrade it.
Let us tell you that in the year 2001, the then NDA government headed by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had amended the 1898 law. The Vajpayee-led government first issued the Livestock Import (Amendment) Ordinance, 2001. Later this Ordinance was replaced by the Livestock Import (Amendment) Bill, 2001.
What were the disadvantages in the new bill?
The old law only regulates livestock imports, while the proposed draft bill has provisions to regulate livestock exports as well. Section 4 of the proposed Bill empowers the Central Government to make arrangements for the promotion and development of exports of livestock and livestock products. In the new draft bill, the word commodity has been used for livestock.
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The proposed bill includes “all horses (all live horses including donkeys, horses, mules) within its ambit. Along with this, bovine (all bovine animals including cattle, buffalo, any animal coming in bull bovine) also come. Animal rights organizations have said that the draft bill greatly increases cruelty to animals.
Bharathi Ramachandran, CEO of the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), told The Indian Express that the passage of the new bill would have opened the way for animal abuse. According to the 2021 data released by the United Nations, out of 80 billion land animals raised for food worldwide, about 2 billion are exported alive to different countries.
