【国会发言】在新加坡，商业猫咪的繁育有严格要求

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梁文辉议员向国家发展部部长提问：

 （a）动物与兽医事务组（Animal & Veterinary Service，简称AVS）是否有可供租用的猫咪繁育场所；

（b）动物与兽医事务组如何处理从非法繁育者手中查获的猫咪。

国家发展部政务部长 费绍尔副教授（代表国家发展部长）：议长先生，国家公园管理局（National Parks Board, NParks）在动物之家（Animal Lodge）出租了三个单元用于商业猫咪繁育。国家公园管理局将继续监控商业猫咪繁育的需求，并在适当情况下优先提供新可用的场所用于猫咪繁育。

根据《动物和鸟类（农场许可）条例》（Animals and Birds (Licensing of Farms) Rules），商业目的繁育动物需要有效的许可证。这是为了保障动物的健康和福利。国家公园管理局会调查非法商业繁育动物的举报，包括猫咪，并对违法者采取执法行动。在调查过程中查获的猫咪将由NParks及其兽医照顾。

议长先生：梁文辉议员。

梁文辉议员（非选区议员）：先生，谢谢部长助理的答复。我有三个补充问题。第一，AVS是否允许繁育者在猫咪被查获后仍能探望它们？第二个问题，从现在开始，AVS是否会制定更详细的监管框架以允许小型繁育者继续他们的业务？第三，动物之家是目前唯一一个可供潜在繁育者经营其业务的场所吗？我听说动物之家位于登加（Tengah），这是唯一允许繁育动物的地方，能确认这一点吗？

费绍尔副教授：先生，谢谢这位议员的补充问题。由于这些动物是作为调查的一部分被查获的，调查进行期间所有者不能探望它们。然而，这些猫咪会由国家公园管理局照顾，并定期由国家公园管理局进行评估，直到调查结束。

关于监管框架的补充问题，这是我们持续关注的问题。如果议员有任何意见，可以分享给我并通过电子邮件与我们联系。目前，动物之家是唯一可用的场所。我们也在评估需求，如果需求量大，我们会与行业合作，看如何扩展。目前，我们认为现有的设施是足够的。

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for National Development (a) what is the availability of cat breeding locations for rent from the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS); and (b) how does AVS deal with the cats seized from illegal breeders.

The Minister of State for National Development (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, the National Parks Board (NParks) has rented out three units for the commercial breeding of cats at the Animal Lodge. NParks will continue to monitor the demand for commercial cat breeding and prioritise newly available units for cat breeding, where appropriate.

Under the Animals and Birds (Licensing of Farms) Rules, a valid licence is required to breed animals for commercial purposes. This is to safeguard animal health and welfare. NParks investigates reports of the illegal commercial breeding of animals, including cats, and takes enforcement action against offenders. Cats seized during such investigations will be under the care of NParks and its veterinarians.

Mr Speaker: Mr Leong.

Mr Leong Mun Wai (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I have three supplementary questions. One, will the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) allow the breeder to visit the cats, even after they are seized by the AVS? Second question, from now on, will the AVS put in a more detailed regulatory framework to allow for small breeders to continue their business? And three, is the Animal Lodge the only place currently available for potential breeders to run their business? I think the Animal Lodge is in Tengah; that is what I have been told. And that is the only place that breeders are allowed to breed the animals, I heard. Can the Minister of State confirm that?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. As the animals are seized as part of investigations, owners will not be able to visit them while investigations are ongoing. However, the cats will remain under the care of NParks and are regularly assessed by NParks, until investigations are concluded.

The other supplementary question is about the regulatory framework. It is something that we continue to look at. If Members have any feedback, they can share them with me and email us. Currently, The Animal Lodge is the only one available. We are also assessing demand. We will keep track and work with the industry to see how we can expand it if there is high demand. At this moment, we feel that it is adequate.