15.06.2012

Proposed bill would transfer animal protection to Environment Ministry

The Agriculture Ministry should no longer be responsible for animal welfare, the coalition decided, a week after a report by an animal rights group accused the ministry of giving preference to the interests of farmers over the welfare of animals.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation decided in a 10-3 vote that the coalition will support a bill putting the Environmental Protection Ministry in charge of implementing the Animal Cruelty Law. Agriculture Minister Orit Noked appealed the decision.
"There has been a lot of criticism of deficiencies in dealing with matters connected to animal rights in Israel," states the explanatory portion of the bill, sponsored by MK Alex Miller. Part of the problem, according to the bill, is the inherent conflict of interest between the various tasks in the Israeli Veterinary Services.
Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said his ministry pledges to take on the added responsibility without seeking additional funding.