Livestock Bill 2023: Centre's draft bill raises concerns among animal lovers & activists

Animal rights activists, Right-wing groups, and Jain religious leaders have collectively stood up against the “Livestock Bill 2023”, a term much in the debate recently as it provides for the export of live animals.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying uploaded the draft Bill- Livestock and Livestock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023 on its website and even suggestions were sought from stakeholders, importers, and exporters within 10 days on social media, which was considered "too less time for feedback".

However, after immense opposition, the livestock bill has now been withdrawn. 

Let’s discuss in this article what was the actual debate. Why was this bill raising concerns amongst animal lovers & activists? And many more.

What is the Livestock Bill 2023?

The Legislature passed the Livestock Bill of 2023 to enhance animal husbandry in our country by transforming livestock management.

If enacted, this Bill would have replaced the current Livestock Importation Act of 1898, which was amended in 2001 as the Livestock Import (Amendment) Act.

• As per the Bill, the term livestock included a range of animals such as donkeys, horses, mules, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, cats, birds, laboratory animals, aquatic animals, and any other animals specified by the Central government from time to time.

• It provided regulations for the import and export of livestock, along with measures to promote & develop the products, including sanitary measures for regulating the import of livestock and livestock products that may be vulnerable to contagious diseases.

• Example: India has always exported Buffalo meat, sheep/ goat meat, poultry products etc., but the mention of export and import of live animals in the Bill have raised concerns amongst the activists & public in India. 

• The Livestock Bill proposed the formation of a National Livestock Board, a major aspect of this bill. This board would have shaped the policies and programs for livestock development and coordinated efforts between different government agencies in this sector. 

Trending: #SayNoToLiveStockBill2023 is trending on Twitter.

• Another significant aspect of this bill was the introduction of Central Livestock University, which provided education and training in animal husbandry. This university would have also conducted research in the field, pushing India’s livestock sector into a new era of scientific advancement.

Why is Livestock Bill 2023 criticized?

• As the bill was said to increase the export and import of live animals, thus, encouraging animal cruelty. This was the main reason why the ‘#SayNoToLiveStockBill2023’ has been trending on Twitter for the past few days. 

• Concerns are raised regarding the potential decrease in the livestock population in India as the Bill permits the export of live cattle for the first time to boost animal husbandry.

• This bill even alarmed the cow vigilantes over the short deadline for submitting objections and suggestions. Activists were also opposing the inclusion of canines and felines in the list of livestock.

Opposition by celebrities

Apart from the tweets, even celebrities were widely expressing their displeasure over the Bill such as former Indian team cricketer Kapil Dev can be seen appealing to people to oppose the bill, which will enable people to export livestock and would be able to "export them and kill them”.  

Conclusion

In short, the Live-stock and Live-stock Products (Importation and Exportation) Bill, 2023, was a “re-enactment” of the present Live-stock Importation Act, 1898, and the Live-stock Importation (Amendment) Act of 2001. It s speculated that large-scale import and export of animals may spoil the gene pool of native animals. A hashtag, #saynotolivestockbill2023, was started on Twitter with several actors such as Jaya Bhattacharya, Divya Seth, Jain leader Acharya Lokesh Muni, etc. opposing the bill. 

What’s your opinion on the bill?

Comment below & let us know!😀