Kazakhstan Senate Reviews Landmark Animal Welfare Law Draft
Senate Holds Working Group Meeting on Animal Welfare Legislation
A working group session to review the draft law "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Regarding the Responsible Treatment of Animals" was held today in the Senate, our website reports.
The bill aims to improve legislation on the ethical treatment of animals, enhance public safety, and foster a more humane attitude toward them.
The discussion brought together Senate deputies, representatives of relevant government agencies—including the ministries of ecology and natural resources, agriculture, healthcare, internal affairs, justice, and national economy—as well as experts and civil society organizations.
The working group includes prominent animal welfare advocates and independent specialists, such as Liliya Sarsenova, head of the animal protection association INUCOBO; Anna Khamchukova, a veterinarian and member of the ecological union Tabigat; Olga Chentsova, head of the Animal Law Committee at the KazBar Bar Association; Natalya Grebenkina, director of the StopOtlov Foundation; Olga Milova, an animal rights activist; and the president of the KARE-Zabota Animal Welfare Foundation, among other engaged members of civil society.
During the meeting, key provisions of the law were examined, including clarifications to legal definitions, mandatory animal identification through microchipping, regulations on breeding activities, and guidelines for the duration of shelter stays for captured animals.
"The working group session, involving all stakeholders, is being held in an open format on the instruction of Senate Chairman Maulen Ashimbayev," said Arman Uteguov, head of the working group and a member of the Senate Committee on Agrarian Issues, Nature Management, and Rural Development. "Issues related to animal welfare legislation have sparked significant public interest, and our task is to ensure a thorough and balanced review of all proposed measures. The working group remains open to constructive dialogue and discussion. All submitted proposals are being carefully studied to develop solutions that reflect societal interests and the principles of humane animal treatment."
Participants in the working group session put forward suggestions and comments, which will be further reviewed by the authorized government bodies.
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