AKEL Environment Bureau on World Animal Day
Cyprus has a long way to go in the field of animal welfare
4 October 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia
In recent decades our planet’s animals have been disappearing at an unprecedented rate.
The report released by the United Nations Committee on Biodiversity reveals that between 500,000 and 1 million species of plants and animals face the threat of extinction in the coming decades. The report reiterates that there is only one factor responsible for this alarming trend: us. Pollution, deforestation and habitat loss due to agriculture and development have already “severely altered” 75% of all land and 40% of marine environments. “Human actions are threatening more species with global extinction now than ever before.”
More action is needed to protect the environment and nature, including wildlife. At the same time, more and more problems concerning the welfare and protection of companion animals are coming to the surface. In our country in recent years, the phenomenon of abandonment and abuse of animals has risen sharply.
It is necessary to strictly implement the existing legislation and strengthen it where necessary, taking into account modern, international practices.
- Among other things, we need to create structures within the Ministry of Environment to monitor and ensure the proper implementation of animal welfare legislation, the supervision of zoos and pet shops and the support of stray animal shelters.
- In addition, Local Authorities should be supported in their work to strictly enforce the Animal Welfare and Dogs Act and at the same time, implement the plan to sterilise all stray cats and dogs within a 5 year timeframe.
- An important part remains the strengthening of the Animal Police and adequate staffing of the Police with qualified and experienced staff.
- There is also a need for the provision of services and infrastructures that will assist the actions of aware citizens and act as information points for animal welfare, as well as ensuring that stray animals are fed by providing food to volunteers and involving local authorities
- As for our country’s wildfire, there is an immediate need to strengthen the structures for the protection of the wildlife of the country, by creating synergies between NGO’s and government agencies to ensure the survival and multiplication of their populations, as well as the development of specific management plans for the protection of migratory birds.
- Good practices that ensure improved living conditions without cruelty should be promoted in animal farming.
AKEL’s message for today is that Cyprus has a long way to go in the area of animal’s well-being.
