Centre Withdraws Livestock Export Bill Draft Amid Criticism

Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Sanjeev Kumar Balyan on Tuesday indicated that the ministry may withdraw the Bill draft in view of the public sentiments. 

If passed, the Bill could have paved the way for the promotion of the export of live animals. 

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After facing criticism, the central government has withdrawn the proposed Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023. If passed, the bill could have paved the way for the promotion of the export of live animals. 

The Department of Animal Husbandry withdrawal order said, "The Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, being the pre-constitutional /pre-independence Central Act, a need has been felt to align it with the contemporary requirements and prevailing circumstances related to sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, and its extant Allocation of Business Rules, 1961,” the official order said.

Adding that the Department's primary role was to offer support through upgraded livestock health facilities, hygiene, etc., including animal welfare for the overall development of the animal husbandry sector. However, it added, that during the consultation, it was felt more time was needed to understand the proposed draft and allow for further comments or suggestions. Representations had been made expressing concerns over the proposed draft. These involved matters of sensitivity towards and emotions for animal welfare, hence the Bill would need wider consultatio.

"Considering the aforesaid views and with the approval of the competent authority, the proposed draft Bill stands withdrawn," the order said.

Previously, Union Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sanjeev Kumar Balyan on Tuesday indicated that the ministry may withdraw the draft Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023 in view of the public sentiments.  "There was some perception about this (draft Bill) in the country that the government wants to export livestock... so consideration is going on," he told reporters, as per PTI.

As per a report by Bussines Standard, the Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023 faced vehement objections from animal rights activists, right-wing groups, and Jain religious leaders. These dissenting voices demanded the withdrawal of the bill for various reasons.

As per the report, sources within the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, an organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), acknowledged the potential benefits of the bill in addressing the issue of stray animals. However, they emphasised that the organization would not compromise religious sentiments and cultural beliefs in the process.

Animal rights activists took to social media on June 17, flagging how the department gave only 10 days to receive comments and suggestions from "stakeholders, importers and exporters", the report noted. 

The draft bill included the provision saying that the government could prescribe measures, through official gazette notifications, to facilitate the promotion of livestock and livestock product exports. This raised concerns among animal rights groups and other critics who viewed it as an attempt to covertly promote the export of live animals, which has been challenging thus far, the report said. 

In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported live animals worth $5.11 million, predominantly consisting of sheep and goats.

Sources in the business told Bussines Standard, that most of these animals are exported during festivals to West Asian countries.