A bill intended to improve the welfare of animals in Guyana was yesterday sent for further consideration by a parliamentary select committee.
The Animal Welfare Bill 2016 was read for a second time yesterday in the National Assembly, where the opposition speakers clamoured for more consultations to be done as they said the most affected group of citizens—farmers—were not aware of its implications.
While the opposition argued that the bill introduces draconian measures that can only make the lives of farmers more difficult and does not address pertinent issues, the government side, led by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, said it would improve the welfare of animals in Guyana and ensure that their care and preparation for sale is on par with international standards.