President Wavel Ramkalawan, chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, Wednesday 15th November in which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.

Cabinet approved a proposal to develop regulations for dog breeding in Seychelles.  This decision came as a result of increased interest to breed dogs in Seychelles as well as an absence of guidelines or standards for such an activity within the Control and Protection of Dogs Act, 2018. 

The regulations will ensure the welfare of breeding dogs and their puppies, guaranteeing humane living conditions, proper medical care, and adequate socialization. The regulations will also help promote responsible ownership by setting standards for breeding practices, such as mandatory health testing, proper documentation, and responsible marketing.

The implementation of dog control measures will also continue to prevent overpopulation by controlling breeding through licensing, breeding limits, and spaying/neutering. The regulations will also publish a list of breeds of dogs that will not be allowed in the country and dogs that are inappropriate for the country will be removed.

Only licensed breeders will be able to import unsterilized dogs. 

Cabinet approved the development of aclegal framework for the establishment of a Veterinary Council, to regulate and oversee the veterinary profession in the country. Such a regulatory body will ensure the maintaining of professional standards, facilitating continuous education, and ensuring accountability within the profession.

Cabinet approved the timeline for implementing the new cargo handling procedure at the passenger terminal for passengers who come in with commercial cargo. The new cargo handling procedure will be in place from January 15, 2024 along with the new fee of SCR 500 per accompanied luggage reflecting services rendered.  During the introductory phase the main entities will monitor and amend the procedure as necessary to ensure smooth processing at the Terminal.

Cabinet gave its endorsement to the decision to change a previous approval to convert the Perseverance Secondary School into a National Technical and Vocational Secondary School.  Cabinet was also briefed on the short term and medium term arrangements to proceed with offering of the TVET programme pending the setting up of a dedicated TVET School.

Cabinet approved for Seychelles to become a member of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This is as an independent intergovernmental body set up to provide Governments, the private sector and civil society with scientifically credible and independent up-to date assessments of available knowledge for evidenced and informed biodiversity policy decisions and action at the local, national, regional and global levels.