Proposed legislation faces opposition amid fears of animal cruelty and genetic disruption
In a recent development, the draft Livestock Bill has ignited a heated debate among animal lovers and activists. Released for public scrutiny on June 7 by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the bill has garnered significant backlash on social media platforms. Critics argue that it has the potential to perpetuate animal cruelty and have called for its immediate withdrawal. Furthermore, activists are voicing their opposition to the inclusion of canines and felines in the list of livestock.
The Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023 is primarily a "re-enactment" of the existing Livestock Importation Act of 1898 and the Livestock Importation (Amendment) Act of 2001. The proposed legislation aims to establish regulations for the importation and exportation of livestock and livestock products, while simultaneously promoting and developing exports within this sector.
Activists argue that the bill, if implemented, could potentially lead to unregulated and large-scale import and export of animals. They express concerns over the possible negative consequences for native animal species and the disruption it may cause to their gene pools. This worry arises from the belief that the bill might inadvertently compromise the delicate balance of biodiversity.
Responding to these concerns, activists launched the hashtag #saynotolivestockbill2023 on Twitter, which gained traction on Saturday. Several celebrities, including actor Jaya Bhattacharya, Divya Seth, and Jain leader Acharya Lokesh Muni, have joined the opposition, urging people to stand against the bill.
Actor Jaya Bhattacharya tweeted, "#SAYNOTOLIVESTOCKBILL2023 No, our Felines and Canines aren't a commodity. Don't start a massacre that will create more havoc in their lives. Instead of passing bills to ensure their safety, this??? Where are we headed? Kindly STOP @PMOIndia @Min_FAHD @Dept_of_AHD."
Retired JNU professor Amita Singh also voiced her concerns on Twitter, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the bill. She described it as anti-national, mindless, and whimsical, particularly criticizing its provisions regarding the importation and exportation of various animals, including cats, dogs, and birds.
To further amplify their message, animal welfare groups and activists shared an audio message from Zeenat Aman, calling on individuals to participate in a Twitterthon to protest against the bill. Aman emphasized the potential for horrific cruelty associated with live animal transport and encouraged supporters to tweet as much as possible to express their opposition to the Livestock Bill 2023.
Journalists from ThPrint have reached out to former Union Minister and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi for her response, and updates will be provided upon receiving her comments.
In contrast to the activists' stance, government officials have stated that regulations will be formulated separately. Tarun Sridhar, former secretary of animal husbandry and dairying, clarified that the draft bill serves as an enabling law. It does not contain specific regulations but rather allows the government to establish appropriate measures. Sridhar stressed the importance of these regulations for ensuring biosecurity and preserving indigenous biodiversity. He argued that the flexibility to issue regulations and restrictions over time is essential due to the ever-evolving requirements of biosecurity.
As the debate between activists and government officials intensifies, the fate of the Livestock Bill remains uncertain. The outcome will depend on the collective voices of concerned individuals, the influence of prominent figures, and the government's willingness to address objections and strike a balanced approach that takes into account animal welfare and biodiversity preservation.