New law on transportation of livestock in UAE

By PMA RASHEED

The Gulf Today, 31 July 2010

A legislation governing the safe transportation of livestock in the UAE will be issued soon by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW).

Aimed at further enforcing the existing laws and bylaws in regard to animal welfare in the country, the new regulation will specify implementation of separate methods of transportation for different types of animals, revealed the ministry sources.

The MoEW has urged various animal breeders and establishments in to the animal trade to strictly comply with the animal welfare regulations and implement additional measures to care the health of livestock.

As the temperatures continue at its peak levels, the ministry has intensified monitoring the establishments like animal farms, reproduction centres, and shops that sell domestic animals and pet fish and birds across the country to ensure their adherence to the laws.

According to a senior MoEW official, the veterinary clinics and hospitals, animal research institutes and zoos also should orientate their operations in line with the conditions for the animal protection and public health safety.

Mohammad Hassan Shamsi, Director of Livestock Development Department at the MoEW, said, “The legislation in the pipeline will strictly control livestock transportation means, with stringent punitive actions against offenders.”

“The regulation will outline the measures for their non-exposure to the soaring temperatures, and reducing chances of injuries or physical damages to the animals while transporting or loading or unloading them,” he added.

“The law also will require reduced speed of the transporting vehicles and as well as providing ample space considering the age, type, sex and behaviour of the animal,” said Shamsi.

He pointed out, “The federal of law No.16/2007 and the ministerial decree No. 384/2008 require the animal owners or breeders to provide the livestock with adequate quantities of safe food and drinking water, especially during the summer to prevent them from dehydration problems.”

According to him, the animal stables should be thoroughly clean and rid of harmful substances. Built with sufficient space, the stables also should give protection to the animals against erratic weather conditions.

“Perpetuating cruelty against animals, including unauthorised public exhibitions or competitions for commercial purposes like advertising and decoration, are also banned. Use of animals for scientific purposes without written permission from the environment ministry will also not be allowed,” Shamsi elaborated.

He also warned against trading or trafficking of sick, injured and unhealthy animals for human consumption, and mix of different types of meat.

“Illegal surgical and therapeutic interventions on the animals at veterinary health centres will also invite legal actions,” he added.

Shamsi asked the residents to buy animals only from markets authorised by the environment ministry, and not to opt for animals illegally traded by traffickers.