MPs from the Progressive and Independence parties voted against an amendment yesterday that would have given permission to cancel government grants to those who have gravely or repeatedly violated animal protection laws, Stundin reports.
A parliamentary bill proposed by PM Sigurður Ingi Jóhannson, which introduces changes to agricultural laws, does not include any provisions for canceling government grants should farmers be found to have violated animal protection laws.
Therefore, such an amendment was proposed by Lilja Rafney Magnúsdóttir, MP for the Left-Green Movement. She suggested adding the following to the bill: “It is permitted to cancel payments to those who have seriously or repeatedly violated the provisions of animal welfare law no. 55/2013 with subsequent changes.”
A second discussion of the agricultural agreement concluded before last weekend. At that time, Lilja’s amendment was voted on. Twenty-one MPs supported her amendment: all those present from Bright Future, the Pirate Party, the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Movement, as well as one MP from the Independence Party.
Four MPs from the Independence Party abstained, as well as one from the Progressive Party. Twenty-six MPs from the Progressive and Independence parties voted against the amendment. None of them spoke to explain the reason for their vote.
