Seven proposals to assist in the improvement of animal welfare and animal rights

The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights hosted a meeting to welcome the new members of the Council for Animal Welfare. The Council has the duty to advise the Ministry on matters falling under the Animal Welfare Act and to recommend measures related to animal welfare.

Minister Refalo said that earlier this year animal welfare activists, who are now also members of the Council, issued a call for the Ministry to address an exhaustive list of 7 proposals to assist in the improvement of animal welfare and animal rights in Malta. “I am elated that as a government we will be embarking and have already started working on these proposals”.

The following topics were highlighted during the discussion: request for a national mass neutering programme for cats, responsible ownership and compulsory micro chipping/registration of dogs and cats, farm welfare, wild animals in captivity, immediate removal of dangerous poisons widely available which are being abused, and a new rehoming centre.

Minister Refalo emphasised that the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights has heeded the requests made by the members of the Council for Animal Welfare and has taken immediate action. The Ministry reassured the Council that it intends to maintain this open dialogue to work together to achieve these common goals.