Draft livestock and livestock products Bill withdrawn

Recently, the Central Government has decided to withdraw the proposed draft of the Live-stock and Live-stock Product (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023.

• The Bill is meant to replace the Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, and the Live-stock (Amendment) Act, 2001.

What comes under live-stock in India?

According to the definition given in the existing law (The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898), “live-stock” includes horses, kine, camels, sheep and any other animal which may be specified by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette.”

About Live-stock and Live-stock Product (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023:

• Prepared by:
  • The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), which comes under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Provisions introduced in the bill:
  • It frames guidelines for the import and export of live animals.
  • It widens the scope of animal import-export (including cats and dogs among ‘live-stock’), and
  • Takes away some powers of state governments to regulate this area.
  • The Bill provides definition for “Livestocks products” as,
    • meat and meat products of all kinds including fresh, chilled and frozen meat tissue;
    • organs of poultry, pig, sheep, goat; egg and egg powder;
    • milk and milk products;
    • bovine, ovine (the sheep family) and caprine (the goat family) embryos, ova and semen;
    • Pet food products of animal origin and any other animal product which may be specified by the Central Government.
• Changes made in Comparison to previous Acts:

• • The proposed draft has 10 Sections, and has expanded the definition of live-stock to include feline and canines also.
• Need for Amendment:
  • To align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures.

What were the concerns in the proposed draft?

• Can increase cruelty on animals: Animal rights organisations have said that the draft Bill will open a “Pandora’s Box” of cruelties on animals.
• Abuse and Traffic animals for illegal use: The proposed Livestock and Livestock Products [Importation and Exportation] Bill, allowing the live export of animals from India, is a blanket free pass for the abuse of millions of animals farmed for food and other uses.

Related Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 48 A states that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
• Article 51A (g) states it to be a duty of every citizen of India “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.”
• Further, the State and Concurrent List have been assigned the following items about animal rights.
• The States are given the authority to “preserve, maintain and improve stock and prevent animal diseases and enforce veterinary training and practice,” according to State List Item 14.
• The Concurrent List contains legislation that both the Centre and the States may pass;
  • “Prevention of animal cruelty,” which is mentioned in item 17.
  • “Protection of wild animals and birds” which is mentioned as item 17B.

Way forward:

• Support welfare of Farmers: A large number of farmers depend upon animal husbandry and animal rearing for their livelihood. It supports the livelihood of almost 55% of the rural population.

• For economic prosperity: Livestock productivity has been identified as one of the seven sources of income growth by the Inter-Ministerial Committee under the government’s target of doubling farmers' income by the year 2022.
• Focus on Environmental consequences: Macro benefits regarding climate change and employment are linked to the Animal Husbandry sector and enhanced infrastructure can make processing units more energy-efficient and help mitigate their carbon footprint.