GSPSA appealed to the Parliament of Georgia on legislative offers regarding animal welfare
The committee of the protection of the environment and natural resources of the Parliament of Georgia is reviewing legislative offers of non-governmental organizations (T. Tchavtchanidze, S. Jibuti, T. Akubardia, S. Beroshvili) on Companion Animal Welfare and the second one – submitted by animal protection organization regarding Animal Welfare.
Legislative offer – on welfare of companion animals
Legislative offer – on animal welfare
According to the committee decision on February 21, 2018, these offers should be merged and draft law should be elaborated. Working group was created within the committee.
GSPSA could not participate in the development of the legislative offers and discussions in the committee due to various reasons. However, GSPSA studied the offers and formed own views, comments and recommendations.
GSPSA officially appealed to the committee of the protection of the environment and natural resources of the Parliament of Georgia on August 23, 2018. The official appeal contains GSPSA offers and recommendations.
The letters and annexes sent to the Parliament of Georgia:
Letter on legislative offers to the Parliament of Georgia
GSPSA thinks that legislative offers presented by non-governmental organizations (T. Tchavtchanidze, S. Jibuti, T. Akubardia, S. Beroshvili) on companion animal welfare do not reflect the main aim of welfare of companion animals. Despite the fact that several articles refer to obligations of animal protection and facilitation of welfare, other articles directly contradict welfare objectives. Articles 17 and 18 (shelters and their standards) would result in liquidation of the existing shelters and make establishment of new ones almost impossible (standards of shelters – Article 18, paragraph 3). If such shelters do not exist, management of stray animal population is incomprehensible along with quantity control, disease management, etc. In GSPSA opinion, this legislative offer is incompatible with international agreements, Georgian legislation and general principles of animal welfare. Hence, this offer should not be discussed and GSPSA negatively evaluates this incentive.
As for the second legislative offer, GSPSA agrees with certain principles of the offer. However, the offer needs further elaboration and inclusion of international norms and standards in animal protection and welfare.
GSPSA prepared recommendations and comments on the second draft, which are detailed in Georgian. They contain specific opinions and comments on the legislative offer.