Clarification by Minister of State for National Development
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This clarification concerns a factual correction made by the Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan regarding his earlier parliamentary response on enforcement measures for pet groomers. He specified that breaches of the code of conduct can support prosecution under the Animals and Birds Act when unnecessary pain or suffering is found. The Minister of State clarified that failure of duty of care is governed under section 41C of the Act, correcting his previous reference to section 41. This legal framework empowers NParks to take appropriate enforcement actions, including prosecution for animal cruelty under section 42, to ensure industry compliance. The formal correction was circulated to ensure the official record accurately reflects the legislative provisions used to protect animal welfare in pet grooming facilities.
Transcript
The following statement was made by the Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan) during Question Time at the Parliament Sitting of 14 January 2026:
The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan): But where there are breaches to this code, they can be used to support prosecution under the ABA [Animals and Birds Act] and where unnecessary pain or suffering has been found to be inflicted on the animal, that is section 42 of the ABA, or failure of duty of care is found, section 41 of the ABA, NParks then can take an appropriate enforcement action under ABA. [Please refer to "Review of Enforcement Measures Against Pet Groomers and Proposal for Mandatory CCTV Recordings in Pet Grooming Facilities", Official Report, 14 January 2026, Vol 96, Issue 14, Oral Answers to Questions section.]
Written statement by Mr Alvin Tan circulated with leave of the Speaker in accordance with Standing Order No 29(5):
I wish to make the following factual correction to my reply given during the Sitting of 14 January 2026. My statement should read as follows:
The Minister of State for National Development (Mr Alvin Tan): But where there are breaches to this code, they can be used to support prosecution under the ABA [Animals and Birds Act] and where unnecessary pain or suffering has been found to be inflicted on the animal, that is section 42 of the ABA, or failure of duty of care is found, section 41C of the ABA, NParks then can take an appropriate enforcement action under ABA.