The unavailability of accessible and affordable animal health care services remains a key constraint in our country. Compulsory community service programmes would help retain veterinary skills in South Africa by reminding newly qualified vets of local job opportunities.
The Bill is aligned with the Immigration Act, Act No 13 of 2002, allowing for foreign vets to work, and possibly be exempted from community service. It is in conjunction with the strengthening of investigative powers and allows the SA Veterinary Council to suspend licences in relation to the provision of anaesthetics to alleged poachers. This Bill provides enabling mechanisms to ensure more effective implementation, for example, boosting the capacity of inspectors and providing penalties for those refusing access to inspectors. Hence, the Bill gives the necessary teeth to ensure more adequate enforcement.
Cope supports the Bill in principle. However, Deputy President, you can have the best laws in this country, but these laws have to be implemented by people. As Cope, we believe that Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson is not a capable individual to implement these laws. [Interjections.]
HON MEMBERS: Hear, hear!