CATTLE BILL

3.53 p.m.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill seeks to provide for the licensing of places used for the keeping of cattle, and control of transport and the movement of cattle and for matters incidental thereto for the purpose of the preservation of public health. In recent months there has been a serious deterioration of the cattle problem and large herds of cattle have been found roaming about built-up areas, even in the City centre, causing a health nuisance and causing damage to property, plants (and even of life!). Urgent action is now required to control this problem as these wandering herds seem to have increased in numbers. As the development of the City proceeds with increasing tempo, it is necessary to bring this problem under firm and effective control if our health standards are not to deteriorate. The fact that there is less and less land for cattle grazing in the State must be recognised, and where cattle grazing could once take place without serious consequences, this is no longer possible in Singapore today.

The cattle also present a problem in that they damage private and public property and tend to pollute water courses, drop dung on public streets and other public places; and, in short, con stitute a serious health menace. Cowdung constitutes an excellent source of breeding for flies.

In the past, the control of different aspects of cattle was covered by three different authorities. Firstly, the Health Department was concerned only with the control of cattle insofar as the licensing of cattle sheds and the sale of milk and milk products was concerned. Secondly, the Police were concerned with stray cattle under the Minor Offences Ordinance. Thirdly, the Primary Production Department have been concerned with the animal husbandry aspects of cattle.

The purpose of this Bill is principally to control cattle within the State, including stray cattle, for the preservation of public health. The Police are too preoccupied and have not been able to deal with stray cattle which anyhow present a health problem also. This will be done by total prohibition of cattle in certain areas which may be declared by the Minister as restricted areas. In such restricted areas, no cattle of the category described in the Minister's order may be kept at all; if found, such cattle will be liable to seizure and disposal by the Health Authorities without compensation. In other areas which are not declared as restricted areas for cattle within the State, the keeping of cattle will be permitted under licence issued by the Director of Medical Services. Here too, this is subject to the proviso that such cattle shall be confined to the licensed place specified in the licence and shall not be permitted outside such licensed place except upon penalty of seizure and disposal without compensation. The Bill also provides for the necessary powers to control the movement and transport of cattle.

The Bill provides for penalties for owners of cattle or those in charge of the cattle for non-compliance of the provisions of this Bill or Regulations thereunder.

Singapore is in the phase of rapid development and is becoming a complex urban development. In this situation, it is not possible to allow cattle within its developed and built-up area. They present a serious health problem (besides other problems) and the measures sought in the Bill are for an effective means of controlling the cattle for the preservation of public health.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [MrYong Nyuk Lin].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Resolved, "That this Assembly do now adjourn to a date to be determined by the Leader of the House." - [Mr S. Rajaratnam].

Adjourned accordingly at five minutes past Four o'clock p.m.