MENR and SSPCA hold first Animal Welfare Legislation meeting |27 April 2007

Among those invited to attend were representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, Vet Services, P.M.C., Police Department, Seychelles Tourism Board as well as other non-governmental organizations.

According to a spokesperson for the SSPCA ((Seychelles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the current “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act” is out-dated and does not include aspects which are fundamental to a modern and forward-looking animal welfare law.  

“It is necessary to lay a foundation that covers a wide range of regulations covering ethical aspects, as well as those that are based on the latest scientific evidence,” the spokesperson said.

To set certain essential standards for an internationally accredited law, the group learned about progressive and innovative legislation in some of the leading countries in animal welfare issues, among them Austria, Germany and New Zealand. 

“Looking at the present situation in Seychelles, animal welfare concerns are low on the agenda.  It has been identified that there is a definite need to increase awareness and compassion towards all animals as ‘fellow creatures’ as seen and described in today’s more advanced laws,” the spokesperson said.

“These overseas laws have provisions that explicitly state that animals are sentient beings (capable of feeling), and that mankind has the responsibility to regard them with esteem and respect, as well as protect them. Some concepts which should find inclusion in the new legislation are for the owner and keeper of the animal to have a ‘duty of care’, meaning the physical as well as mental well-being of the animal, for the government, the ‘duty to educate and support animal welfare’ and for the authorities, the ‘duty to enforce the laws’,” the spokesperson added.

Noting that it is an ambitious plan to draft a comprehensive, well-balanced and circumspect new legislation -- one which is compassionate, forward-looking, efficient and effective -- the spokesperson said that Seychelles has to embark on a new era, as the way animals are treated mirrors the moral attitude of the society as well as its social state.

“Humane education teaching kindness and compassion to all living creatures is fundamental to a healthy and progressive nation.  Seychelles has already gained an international reputation for being environmentally sensitive and caring, and this same attitude and increased status of empathy needs to be extended to our sentient fellow creatures,” the spokesperson said.

“Taking the vital sector of tourism into consideration, it must be noted that animal welfare features highly on the agenda of many overseas visitors to Seychelles, and that regular complaints by these visitors testify to the fact that they are distressed by the way they perceive many animals to be treated.  Commitment and responsibility are certainly key factors to be embedded into the new animal welfare legislation.  Core duties have to be introduced and adapted which not only cover minimum standards, but put Seychelles solidly on the map as one of the most advanced countries in the world where environmental, as well as animal welfare concerns, are involved,” the spokesperson added.