Written answer by Ministry of National Development on rationale for 12-month disqualification cap of Animals and Birds Act 1965 and strengthening disqualification penalties for[...]

Question No.: 1399

Question by: Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the rationale for the 12-month disqualification cap under Section 43B of the Animals and Birds Act 1965 (ABA); (b) whether the Ministry will raise the maximum and introduce lifetime disqualification for the most serious cases; and (c) when the ongoing ABA review will be completed.

Answer:

The disqualification order regime under Section 43B of the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) was introduced via the 2014 amendments to ABA, following the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC)'s recommendations to strengthen animal welfare enforcement in 2013.

NParks is undertaking a review of the ABA, including the disqualification order regime and penalties, to ensure that our regulatory framework remains effective in deterring animal cruelty. NParks has been engaging stakeholders as part of the review, and details of the public consultation on the draft amendments will be shared later this year.