Department of Agriculture proposes amendments to Papa Bill
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) informed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture that it concurred with stakeholders during the public hearings conducted last week – in that Performing Animals Protection Act (PAPA) is an outdated, fragmented and difficult to manage Act and it needs to be repealed, or re-worked and consolidated within the new legislative framework.
The DAFF explained that all issues raised regarding the general welfare of animals will be addressed in the Draft South African Animal Welfare Strategic Framework, which will be published for public comments.
Dr Tembile Songabe, the Director of Veterinary Public Health, proposed to the Committee that the licensing process or issuing of licences should involve the department’s executive officers, who have more knowledge and experience in the field of animal welfare and animal rights.
Committee Chairperson, Ms Machwene Semenya, said next week the Committee will further deliberate on the PAPA Bill with the objective of proposing amendments as suggested and submitted by the DAFF and other stakeholders during the public participation engagement process that took place in Parliament.
Ms Semenya further explained that the Committee will engage the department to conduct a public participation consultative process to better understand the general public’s views on animal welfare, as the South African society has different views on the treatment of animals.
Enquiries:
Mzingezwi Obert Plum
Tel: 021 403 2201
Cell: 076 905 4693
E-mail: oplum@parliament.gov.za
