Singapore Reviews Animals and Birds Act too Strengthen Animal Welfare and Public Health
Table of Contents
Mar 5, 2025
Singapore is undertaking a significant review of the animals and Birds Act 1965, aiming to bolster both animal welfare and public health. The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), has initiated this complete review to strengthen safeguards related to public health and safety, as well as animal health and welfare. This legislative overhaul seeks to modernize existing regulations and address emerging challenges in animal management and disease control. The Animals and Birds Act, a cornerstone of animal-related legislation in Singapore, was last amended in 2014 following a review by the Animal Welfare Legislation Review Committee (AWLRC).
The Animals and Birds act encompasses several critical areas, including:
- The prevention of the introduction and spread of diseases among animals, birds, and fish in Singapore.
- Measures pertaining to the welfare of and the prevention of cruelty to animals, birds, and fish in Singapore.
- The control of movement of animals, birds, and fish.
Key Areas Under Review
The current review focuses on several key areas, including enhancing enforcement powers, refining regulatory levers, improving the regulatory framework for preventing and controlling animal diseases, and regulating veterinary health products (VHPs). Thes efforts are geared towards creating a more robust and effective system for animal management and welfare.
Strengthening Enforcement Powers and Regulatory Levers
One of the primary focuses of the review is to strengthen enforcement powers and regulatory levers related to animal welfare and management. This includes a thorough examination of the penalty framework under the Act to ensure it effectively deters animal cruelty and abuse.
AVS is specifically reviewing penalties such as fines, imprisonment terms, and the disqualification order (DO) regime. The goal is to create a stronger deterrent against animal cruelty and duty of care offenses. in addition to penalties, AVS is also reassessing its enforcement powers to better manage cases involving animal welfare issues. This includes reviewing powers related to seizure and arrest.
Furthermore, the review includes an examination of the licensing regime for higher-risk pet-related activities and the use of animal training devices. This aims to ensure that activities involving animals are conducted responsibly and ethically.
Enhancing Animal Disease Prevention and Control
Another critical aspect of the review is the regulatory framework for preventing and controlling animal diseases. AVS is focusing on strengthening disease control measures and implementing upstream measures for disease prevention. This is particularly important for effectively preventing and managing the spread of both existing and emerging diseases.
The review also includes assessing penalties for the illegal import or transshipment of animals and veterinary biologics.Stricter penalties aim to deter activities that could introduce diseases into Singapore.
Regulating Veterinary Health Products
Veterinary health products (VHPs), which include veterinary medicines and animal vaccines, are also under scrutiny. AVS is reviewing measures to ensure the quality, traceability, and safety of VHPs. This may involve establishing a licensing regime and a registry of approved VHPs to effectively regulate the supply chain.
Collaborative Approach to the review
AVS is adopting a collaborative approach to the review process, engaging with key stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives and insights. As of 2022, AVS has engaged with stakeholders on areas related to animal disease prevention and control, including the regulatory framework for veterinary health products.
Thru a series of small group discussions with various animal sector stakeholders, including veterinarians, food animal farms, non-food animal farms, pet-related businesses, pharmaceutical companies, and relevant agencies, AVS has collected a wide range of suggestions and valuable feedback.These insights are being carefully studied for consideration in the review of the act.
AVS plans to further engage stakeholders later this year, including animal welfare groups, pet shops, veterinarians, and other representatives from the pet sector. The goal is to gather their views and insights on reviewing regulatory levers for animal welfare and management.
This collaborative approach aligns with AVS’s continuous efforts to work closely with stakeholders, raise standards, promote awareness of best practices for animal welfare, and advocate responsible pet ownership within the community.
Singapore’s Animal Welfare Overhaul: A Necessary evolution?
Is Singapore’s review of its 1965 Animals and birds act a sign of a global shift towards more compassionate and effective animal welfare legislation?
Interviewer (World-Today-News.com): Dr. Anya Sharma, welcome. You’re a leading expert in animal welfare law and policy. Singapore’s recent review of its animals and Birds Act has sparked considerable interest. can you shed light on the significance of this legislative overhaul?
Dr. Sharma: The review of Singapore’s Animals and Birds Act is indeed notable, reflecting a global trend towards strengthening animal protection laws. It indicates a recognition that outdated legislation can be insufficient to address the complex challenges of modern animal welfare and public health. This isn’t just about increased penalties; it’s about creating a more complete and proactive framework for animal management and disease control. A key aspect is the move towards preventative measures rather than solely reactive enforcement.
Interviewer: The review focuses on enhancing enforcement, particularly regarding penalties for animal cruelty. What changes do you anticipate, and how effective will thay be?
Dr. Sharma: We can expect stricter penalties for animal cruelty and negligence, hopefully acting as a stronger deterrent. The review will likely explore increasing fines, potentially lengthening imprisonment terms, and strengthening the disqualification order (DO) regime—preventing convicted individuals from owning or handling animals. The effectiveness depends on consistent enforcement. Simply increasing penalties without the resources for robust investigation and prosecution will yield limited results. The success hinges on a commitment to thorough investigations and a well-trained enforcement team. It’s also crucial to examine the effectiveness of different penalty types, such as fines versus imprisonment, for their impact on deterring specific offenses.
Interviewer: The Act also covers animal disease prevention and control. What are some key challenges in this area,and how can the review improve the existing framework?
Dr. Sharma: preventing the introduction and spread of animal diseases is crucial for both animal welfare and public health. Global trade and travel increase the risk of introducing exotic diseases. This requires robust biosecurity measures at borders, including stringent import regulations and effective quarantine protocols. The review should focus on enhancing surveillance systems, investing in disease diagnostics, and improving collaboration amongst veterinary professionals and other stakeholders. Clearer regulations regarding the importation and use of veterinary health products (VHPs), such as vaccines and pharmaceuticals, are essential to ensure the safety and quality of these products, as well as to prevent the introduction of disease via contaminated products.
Improved Regulation of Veterinary Health products (VHPs)
Interviewer: The review also addresses the regulation of Veterinary Health Products (VHPs). What are the implications of better regulating these products?
Dr. Sharma: Effective regulation of VHPs—including veterinary medicines, vaccines, and other animal health products—is paramount. It ensures the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products, protecting animal health and human safety.This might involve establishing a licensing regime for VHPs, similar to human pharmaceuticals, to guarantee product quality and source traceability, thereby preventing the use of substandard or counterfeit products and safeguarding against improper usage which coudl lead to animal health complications or create health concerns for consumers of animal products. A comprehensive registry of approved VHPs would improve clarity and facilitate enforcement actions against illegal products. This is not just about preventing disease, but about promoting fair trade and ethical practices within the veterinary pharmaceutical sector.
The Collaborative Approach: Key to Success
Interviewer: Singapore is adopting a collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders throughout the process. How crucial is this inclusive approach to the success of the review?
Dr. Sharma: This collaborative approach is vital. engaging with veterinarians, animal welfare groups, pet owners, businesses, and government agencies ensures that the revised legislation addresses practical concerns and reflects the needs of all stakeholders. Open dialog and incorporating diverse perspectives will lead to more effective and widely accepted legislation. This inclusive model fosters trust and cooperation, which will be crucial for accomplished implementation and enforcement of the updated animal welfare laws.
interviewer: What are your overall thoughts on Singapore’s review of its Animals and Birds Act,and what key lessons can other countries learn from this initiative?
Dr. Sharma: Singapore’s review showcases a proactive approach to animal welfare. The focus on modernizing the legislation, strengthening enforcement, and collaborating with stakeholders models a forward-thinking strategy. Other countries can learn from this comprehensive approach, focusing on prevention and holistic animal management, not merely reactive responses. Prioritizing disease prevention, adopting inclusive regulatory design, and investing in veterinary capacity are key takeaways that could enhance animal welfare legislation around the globe.
Interviewer: Dr. sharma, thank you for your insightful commentary. This comprehensive discussion provides valuable information for readers interested in learning more about animal welfare law and policy.
Closing: Share your thoughts on Singapore’s updated animal welfare laws in the comments below, and let’s discuss how these changes might inspire improvements in other countries. Don’t forget to share this article to spread awareness of these critically important issues!