Maldives parliament backs landmark animal welfare bill
Proposed law introduces heavy fines and shifts oversight to new Animal Welfare Ministry
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — The Maldives Parliament has advanced a comprehensive animal protection bill that strengthens regulations on animal care, trade, and welfare while imposing steep penalties for violations.
According to SunOnline, the Animal Care and Protection Bill, introduced by lawmaker Mohamed Abdul Rahman, passed its first reading with unanimous support on Tuesday.
The bill now moves to the Parliament’s Committee on Social Affairs for further review.
The proposed legislation transfers regulatory authority from the Defense Ministry to the newly designated Animal Welfare Ministry, which will oversee policy implementation, enforcement, and inspections.
It also establishes a legal framework to ensure humane treatment of animals and prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The bill sets significant financial penalties for breaches, including fines ranging from 10,000 to 1 million Maldivian rufiyaa ($650 – $65,000) for actions leading to the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Unauthorized import or export of animals could result in fines between 5,000 and 500,000 Maldivian rufiyaa ($325 – $32,500), while violations in animal care, husbandry, or tampering with biological samples could attract penalties from 10,000 to 100,000 Maldivian rufiyaa ($650 – $6,500).
Additionally, harming or abandoning animals in public spaces would be punishable with fines of 5,000 to 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa ($325 – $3,250).
The legislation mandates the creation of port quarantine facilities and animal sanctuaries while tightening regulations on the trade of endangered, dangerous, and non-native species.
It also introduces strict guidelines for animal product safety to curb disease transmission.
If enacted, the law would mark a major shift in Maldives’ approach to animal welfare, enhancing protections, strengthening trade oversight, and introducing tougher penalties for mistreatment.
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