Budget 2018 – Activists applaud the animal-friendly features
The formulation of a National Budget, the economic policy of a country for a particular year is, considering the scarcity of resources, a challenging task – identification of priorities, consideration of public expectations and raising funds without encumbering the next generation.
That Sri Lanka’s Budget 2018 had some consideration for animals is thus not only significant, but also an exemplary precedent. In presenting the Budget proposals in Parliament on November 9, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said :“We have not forgotten about animals in this budget. Therefore, we are looking at converting the zoo in an open zoo concept.” The Budget proposals elaborate this by stating that elephants and other animals will no longer be caged, but be able to move around with more freedom as per international best practices. The allocation for this is Rs.75 million.
This is an exceptional victory for our animal rights activists who have vigorously advocated the concept of open zoos. The history of zoos dates back to 3600 BC. But with the global evolution of animal welfare and animals fast gaining statutory and judicial recognition as sentient beings, revolutionary changes are taking place – some zoos have closed and some are being re-designed as nature parks where the animals can roam and live in a near natural habitat.
In zoos, the ‘stars” are the animals. Their welfare should be paramount. But, zoos are commercial enterprises where animals are considered commodities and exploited for monetary gain - to enhance State coffers or private bank balances. In closed zoos, deprived of social interaction, caged animals undergo tremendous physical and psychological suffering. As animal behaviourists explain, big cats pacing their enclosures, chained elephants rocking and swaying, chimpanzees clutching the iron bars separating them from humans, are all signs of deep emotional trauma.
The Budget proposals also contain other animal friendly features – re-organizing the Pinnawela elephant orphanage to be ‘Born Free-Chain Free’, initiating mahout training programmes and strengthening efforts to conserve endangered endemic species, such as the loris, fishing cat and pangolin.
Looking at some other national budgets, the Australian government included A$ 8.3 million to develop the Livestock Global Assurance Programme for livestock exports to protect the welfare of animals. Though exports will be for consumption and slaughter is inevitable, the process will assure the need to adhere to welfare standards. New Zealand’s 2015 Budget allocated $10 million to strengthen animal welfare systems and biosecurity to develop regulations, improve enforcement capability and manage the welfare of animals in civil defence emergencies. The 2017 Hungarian Budget committed 40 million forints for animal protection measures that will include the spaying and cas- tration of shelter dogs, modernization of dog pounds and public awareness programmeson responsible pet ownership.
Matthew Bershadker, President of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals narrates how the Federal Budget Package of President Barack Obama protected animals. As he says, “their inclusion wasn’t a sure thing, but in a process known for deep political compromises, it’s gratifying to see legislators not compromising animal welfare - particularly the protection of American horses and farm animals used in federal research, for political gain….Other included measures will help protect wild horses from slaughter and ensure proper oversight and enforcement of laws cracking down on puppy mills and ending horse soring….Ensuring animals are not tortured for industry profit is not simply a good idea; it’s an imperative that represents some of our most basic values and obligations as Americans and as human beings…..Today, our leaders stepped up for those values. Making sure they do the same moving forward may depend on how loudly we - the people they represent - stand up and speak out.
On the contrary, as Paula Fitzsimmons observes, the Trump administration’s proposed budget, if passed, with its substantial cuts to environmental programmes could have wide-ranging negative impacts on animals and wild habitats - in protecting endangered species, combatting wildlife trafficking and enforcing animal protection laws.
When the Animal Welfare Bill (awaiting enactment for over ten years) is passed by Parliament, its success will depend on the efficiency of the National Animal Welfare Authority. If the Authority is to function as a dynamic and effective entity, it must be given sufficient funds to carry out its mandate. This columnist recalls a brief meeting in 2016, between the then Finance Minister and members representing the petitioners in the Animal Welfare Steering Committee, appointed pursuant to a writ application through which the Court of Appeal is monitoring the progress of the Bill, and functioning under the Ministry or Rural Economic Affairs. At that time the Bill was before Cabinet for approval and the objective of the meeting was to sensitize the Minister of the need to allocate sufficient funds to the proposed Authority. Sad to say, the Minister’s response was most discouraging
In Sri Lanka, pursuant to a “No Kill Policy” declared by the then President in 2006, Rs.200 million was allocated to the Health Ministry annually for sterilization and vaccination programmes for dog population control to eradicate rabies. This is the humane option for destruction of dogs which is the method prescribed under our19th century Rabies Ordinancewhich reflects the then attitudes towards animals. But today, with animals receiving recognition as sentient beings, the internationally acknowledged, highly success- ful practice for dog population and rabies control is CNVR (Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate and Release.) Though successful in some Provinces, it has not been so in others. In 2016, a Cabinet approved plan for dog population control vested the responsibility of its implementation on the Department of Animal Production and Health, functioning under the Rural Economic Affairs Minister. However, several issues have delayed its implementation. It is essential to resolve these issues and inquire into the reasons which prevented some Provinces from achieving the desired results in the past, if Sri Lanka is to realize its target of eradicating rabies by 2020 as per the National Health Strategic Master Plan 2016-2025, and not allow the situation to deteriorate, thereby negating the successes achieved.
The non-availability of facilities to shelter animals who are court productions is a pressing issue. The majority of these animals are cattle, transported or slaughtered illegally or exposed to cruelty. With no State managed shelters and a paucity of those run by civil society organizations, courts are often compelled to release the cattle to the accused, pending trial.This is most unsatisfactory. The government must consider budgetary allocation to establish at least State run cattle shelters.
Monies received through budgetary allocations must be fully utilized for the purpose for which it is allocated,without allowing unutilized funds to revert to the Treasury – that would be most unfortunate and a display of bureaucratic incompetence.