Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
(a) (i) What is the status of the proposed Veterinary Bill and (ii) what is the anticipated timeline for its tabling for public comment, (b) what are the (i) main objectives and (ii) proposed reforms contained in the Veterinary Bill, (c) what impact is the Veterinary Bill expected to have on the regulation or delivery of veterinary services in the province and (d)(i) what engagements, if any, have taken place between his Department and organised agriculture stakeholders in the province regarding the content or implications of the Bill and (ii) what concerns or recommendations, if any, have emerged from these engagements?
(a) (i) Veterinary legislation had its genesis on the need to plug holes that were apparent in delivering services. A number of lacunae identified then necessitated policy / legislative modification to incorporate these challenges.
Whilst working on this proposed Veterinary Bill, the Animal Health Act 2002 (Act No 7 of 2002) regulations were published for comment by Department of Agriculture (DoA) during September 2024. The Western Cape Veterinary Services team commented on these regulations which are expected to come into operation shortly. This development will cure lacunae initially identified that led to initiatives towards creating Veterinary legislation. The Animal Health Act was held in abeyance after been assented by the President pending proclamation of the regulations. Proceeding with the proposed Veterinary legislation in its current form would had rendered it moot on its completion when the Animal Health Act is operational.
The Veterinary legislation formulation initiative was subsequently sent back to the drawing board to make it responsive to issues experienced on the ground. The Terms of Reference (TOR) guidelines were recently refreshed and currently initiatives are underway to seek insights / expertise of experts and jurists to ensure that final legislative accommodates Province’s aspirations succinctly.
(ii) Timeline will be shared post the detailed RIA process, with a revised roadmap and extensive consultations with affected role-players are finalised, and common pathway forged.
(b) (i) Veterinary legislation will include a clear statement of scope.
The legislation will as a minimum include relevant guidelines in order to protect:
- animal health and food security;
- food safety;
- public health (zoonotic diseases) and security (stray animals);
- animal welfare, as defined by the WOAH.
In addition clearly depicting:
Powers and roles of role-players and competent Authority.
- Disease Control
- Contingency plans and / or Interventions
- Financing of animal diseases control measures
- Imports and exports responsibilities.
(ii) Proposed reforms will be in line with provisions of the Constitution [Act 108 of 1996], Department of Agriculture’s legislations on Veterinary Services and WOAH [World Organisation on Animal Health] Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
(c) The Proposed reform would be to augment measures and provisions that are spelled out by the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act no 35 of 1984) that is currently operational. The Animal Disease Act was proclaimed prior to the Constitutional framework that came about in 1996, and it does not comply fully to constitutional provisions enacted. Delivery and provision for Veterinary Services will be enhanced. Officials will be empowered to rollout services as and when required, enabling them to enforce certain disease control measures that may be desirable to contain and control disease spread encountered.
(d) (i) Engagements have not taken place on the redrafted provisions of the proposed legislation.
(ii) Not applicable at this juncture. Full picture will emerge once all pertinent interventions are enacted.
