Govt proposes new animal bill with MVR 1mn fine for spread of zoonotic diseases

The government has submitted new legislature on the care and protection of animals to the Parliament, proposing fines of up to MVR 1 million for committing an act that leads to the spread of a zoonotic disease.

The Animal Care and Protection Bill is sponsored by Hinnavaru MP Mohamed Ibrahim, and seeks to establish a legal framework for the safe and sustainable care, husbandry, and trade of animals.

The bill sets down rules regarding the health of animals and protection against the spread of zoonotic diseases.

It also prescribes hefty fines for violations. This includes:

• Fines of MVR 10,000 to MVR 1 million for an act that leads to the spread of a zoonotic disease.
• Fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 500,000 for illegal import and export of animal.
• Fines of MVR 10,000 to MVR 100,000 for husbandry of animals, care of animals, or tampering of samples in violation of the law and for violation of the standards for animal care.
• Fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 50,000 for harming an animal or releasing an animal to a public location.
• Fines of MVR 5,000 to MVR 100,000 for other violations.

The bill empowers the Animal Welfare Ministry with the authority to formulate policies under the legislature, and names the ministry as the main enforcer of the law.

The law previously required permission from the Defense Ministry for the import of an animal deemed “dangerous”. But the new bill will repeal this clause and grant the authority to the Animal Welfare Ministry.

The bill requires the government to establish port quarantine facilities and animal sanctuaries, and grants the Animal Welfare Ministry with the authority to inspect these facilities.