The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries welcomed a presentation from the department entities yesterday on public hearings on the Performing Animals Protection Amendment Bill.
The entities expressed their support for the amendment of the Performing Animals Protection Act and proposed that the National Licensing Officers be able to perform licensing functions that are legally binding.
A majority of the entities also recommended that the amendments to the bill should take into consideration the setting and enforcing of welfare standards and protection of performing animals.
Committee Chairperson Ms Machwene Semenya said the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is developing a policy document on welfare and protection of animals and she added, “this is a difficult issue to deal with and we as a Committee now understand why the Department is taking so long working on the document.”
The Committee believes further discussions are needed to consider the submissions from stakeholders. The Committee will continue its public hearings on two more bills on Friday 15 May, and thereafter further discussions by the Committee will take place in considering the views and inputs from stakeholders and entities.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Mzingezwi Obert Plum
Tel: 021 403 2201
Cell: 076 905 4693
E-mail: oplum@parliament.gov.za
