Parliament has accepted the Animal Welfare Bill, presented today by Hinnavaru Constituency MP Mohamed Abdul Rahman on behalf of the government.

The bill passed with 43 votes at today's 11th Sitting of the first Session of 2025. Speaker of the Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla confirmed the bill will be sent to the committee stage now.

When presenting the bill, MP Abdul Rahman explained its main purpose is to facilitate sustainable and safe animal keeping, breeding and trading in the Maldives. He emphasised the importance of establishing procedures for animal healthcare and principles for protection from zoonotic diseases. He added that setting standards for animal import and export regulations was another reason for the bill's introduction.

MP Abdul Rahman believes the bill is crucial for protecting the Maldives' natural environment and biodiversity. He highlighted that it supports achieving targets related to UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land), which address ocean conservation and marine resource sustainability and the protection of land ecosystems, sustainable forest management, and halting biodiversity loss.

The bill comprises 11 chapters covering key animal welfare matters, including principles for importing animals and regulations for exporting and re-exporting them. It also addresses animal feed requirements and legal measures to protect animals from diseases. MP Abdul Rahman noted the bill includes procedures for inspecting animal keeping facilities.

All MPs who spoke during the debate recognised the bill's importance for the country and its potential to improve animal welfare protections.