t0_22939t1_
t2_I am very pleased to welcome today the 4th Pancyprian Congress of the Party for Cyprus Animals.t3_ t4_Respect for animals is an indication of the morality and level of a society and their good treatment is a social issue that touches us all, but also part of all the values of the European Union. t5_ t6_I express my appreciation and thanks to my dear friend Kyriakos Kyriakou, both for his personal action to date and for the action of the Party for Cyprus Animals, of which he is President since 2014.t7_ t8_The improvement of animal welfare in our country, in all its aspects, is a common endeavour of the Party and the Government.t9_ t10_Animal welfare has emerged as a key priority and is included as an important policy in our governance programme. On this basis, the Integrated Animal Welfare Framework was prepared and announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in 2018, which includes actions and programmes for the protection and welfare of animals.t11_ t12_On this occasion, I would like to briefly mention the main actions we have promoted in recent times.t13_ t14_ t15_In recognition of the valuable work of animal welfare volunteers, we provide an annual state grant to animal welfare organisations, which has doubled since 2018, from 50,000 to 100,000 euros per year. t16_For the second consecutive year, we have proceeded to grant Extraordinary State Sponsorship to Animal Welfare Organisations operating animal shelters, for the purpose of assisting them to adapt and comply with the new Regulations for the Protection of Dogs and Cats in Kennels, Hotels, Shelters and Temporary Care Facilities. t17_We have provided emergency financial assistance in 2020 to registered Animal Welfare Organisations for the purpose of feeding stray animals during the period of restrictive measures due to coronavirus. t18_We have prepared a special Plan totalling €1.5 million, t19_With the aim of reducing the stray cat population, we continued the Annual Nationwide Cat Neutering Scheme with a budget of €75.000, through which approximately 1500 cats are neutered per year. t20_Aiming to reduce the number of abandoned and stray dogs, we continued the implementation of the Pancyprian Free Dog Tagging and Registration Scheme, which provides incentives for dog owners to tag their animals. t20_With the aim of reducing the number of abandoned and stray dogs, we continued the implementation of the Pancyprian Free Dog Tagging and Registration Scheme, which provides incentives for dog owners to tag their animals. To date, around 17,000 dogs have been tagged through this scheme. t21_ t22_In addition, we have strengthened the institutional framework for animal welfare through a number of important pieces of legislation. By way of example, we have succeeded in passing the Animal Protection and Welfare (Amendment) Act 2020, strengthening the functioning of the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Animal Welfare Committees and, inter alia, prohibiting the tethering of dogs and the keeping of dogs and cats on terraces and balconies. With this amendment we have increased the fines in cases of animal abuse and we have prohibited the keeping of marine mammals in captivity.t23_ t24_We also achieved the enactment of the 2021 Regulations relating to the possession and sale of animals, regulating the construction and operation of animal sale premises, as well as animal possession issues through the establishment of a list of species/categories of animals which may be possessed and sold (positive list). t25_ t26_We have also created the Animal Police, which specifically targets animal cruelty issues.t27_ t28_We continue, in consultation with the Legal Service, to work to bring forward as quickly as possible other important legislation aimed at further regulating individual issues, such as the operation of zoos through the Keeping Wild Animals in Establishments Displaying Animals in Public Act and the setting of minimum welfare requirements for dogs kept privately for non-commercial purposes through relevant Regulations.t29_ t30_We have also prepared and forwarded to the Legal Service for legislative scrutiny a draft amendment to the Dogs Act to improve it and clarify the provisions it makes for both the welfare and ownership of dogs.t31_ t32_We have strengthened the relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment and the Veterinary Services and the Police in matters of animal protection and welfare through the preparation of a Protocol for the investigation of complaints / cases of animal abuse or neglect. The Protocol was co-signed by the Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment and Justice &? Public Order, on 1 June 2021.t33_ t34_It is worth noting that in the Integrated Animal Welfare Framework of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, specific reference is made to the need to improve the welfare of productive animals as well. This is also dictated by the new EU policies, such as the Farm to Plate Strategy. In 2022 we will focus on developing actions focused on the protection of productive animals. In our country there are at any given time about 4 million productive animals. It is therefore imperative to ensure that all animals intended to serve human needs, during their lifetime, live in appropriate conditions and are treated well by humans.t35_ t36_I would like to make special reference to the role played by the voluntary movement in our country, especially for the protection of animals. A large number of our dedicated citizens are daily committed to the protection of stray or injured animals and strive with whatever means they have to take care of animals in need of human assistance. I would therefore like to express my deep appreciation and thanks to all these animal welfare volunteers, many of whom are with us today, for their valuable work.t37_ t38_ Finally, I could not fail to mention personally Mr. Kyriakou, to whose efforts the Cyprus Animal Party owes its creation. Many of the policies and programmes that are currently implemented have been shaped on the basis of his own experienced suggestions and opinions, while the network of contacts that he has developed over the years with institutions and organisations inside and outside the country, allows for the collection of useful information and the formation of a fuller picture of good practices implemented in other countries on animal welfare and protection issues. Mr Kyriakou, you are undoubtedly a key leader in animal welfare issues and I thank you for the excellent cooperation we have developed over the years, which I am sure will continue uninterrupted.t39_ t40_I wish you all the best in our common struggle and Happy Holidays.t41_ t42_ t43_ t44_MK/EXt45_ t46_Note.
t47_Contents of this article including associated images are belongs t48_PIOt49_
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or t50_PIOt51_t52_
t53_Sourcet54_t55_
t2_I am very pleased to welcome today the 4th Pancyprian Congress of the Party for Cyprus Animals.t3_ t4_Respect for animals is an indication of the morality and level of a society and their good treatment is a social issue that touches us all, but also part of all the values of the European Union. t5_ t6_I express my appreciation and thanks to my dear friend Kyriakos Kyriakou, both for his personal action to date and for the action of the Party for Cyprus Animals, of which he is President since 2014.t7_ t8_The improvement of animal welfare in our country, in all its aspects, is a common endeavour of the Party and the Government.t9_ t10_Animal welfare has emerged as a key priority and is included as an important policy in our governance programme. On this basis, the Integrated Animal Welfare Framework was prepared and announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in 2018, which includes actions and programmes for the protection and welfare of animals.t11_ t12_On this occasion, I would like to briefly mention the main actions we have promoted in recent times.t13_ t14_ t15_In recognition of the valuable work of animal welfare volunteers, we provide an annual state grant to animal welfare organisations, which has doubled since 2018, from 50,000 to 100,000 euros per year. t16_For the second consecutive year, we have proceeded to grant Extraordinary State Sponsorship to Animal Welfare Organisations operating animal shelters, for the purpose of assisting them to adapt and comply with the new Regulations for the Protection of Dogs and Cats in Kennels, Hotels, Shelters and Temporary Care Facilities. t17_We have provided emergency financial assistance in 2020 to registered Animal Welfare Organisations for the purpose of feeding stray animals during the period of restrictive measures due to coronavirus. t18_We have prepared a special Plan totalling €1.5 million, t19_With the aim of reducing the stray cat population, we continued the Annual Nationwide Cat Neutering Scheme with a budget of €75.000, through which approximately 1500 cats are neutered per year. t20_Aiming to reduce the number of abandoned and stray dogs, we continued the implementation of the Pancyprian Free Dog Tagging and Registration Scheme, which provides incentives for dog owners to tag their animals. t20_With the aim of reducing the number of abandoned and stray dogs, we continued the implementation of the Pancyprian Free Dog Tagging and Registration Scheme, which provides incentives for dog owners to tag their animals. To date, around 17,000 dogs have been tagged through this scheme. t21_ t22_In addition, we have strengthened the institutional framework for animal welfare through a number of important pieces of legislation. By way of example, we have succeeded in passing the Animal Protection and Welfare (Amendment) Act 2020, strengthening the functioning of the Pancyprian Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Animal Welfare Committees and, inter alia, prohibiting the tethering of dogs and the keeping of dogs and cats on terraces and balconies. With this amendment we have increased the fines in cases of animal abuse and we have prohibited the keeping of marine mammals in captivity.t23_ t24_We also achieved the enactment of the 2021 Regulations relating to the possession and sale of animals, regulating the construction and operation of animal sale premises, as well as animal possession issues through the establishment of a list of species/categories of animals which may be possessed and sold (positive list). t25_ t26_We have also created the Animal Police, which specifically targets animal cruelty issues.t27_ t28_We continue, in consultation with the Legal Service, to work to bring forward as quickly as possible other important legislation aimed at further regulating individual issues, such as the operation of zoos through the Keeping Wild Animals in Establishments Displaying Animals in Public Act and the setting of minimum welfare requirements for dogs kept privately for non-commercial purposes through relevant Regulations.t29_ t30_We have also prepared and forwarded to the Legal Service for legislative scrutiny a draft amendment to the Dogs Act to improve it and clarify the provisions it makes for both the welfare and ownership of dogs.t31_ t32_We have strengthened the relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment and the Veterinary Services and the Police in matters of animal protection and welfare through the preparation of a Protocol for the investigation of complaints / cases of animal abuse or neglect. The Protocol was co-signed by the Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development & Environment and Justice &? Public Order, on 1 June 2021.t33_ t34_It is worth noting that in the Integrated Animal Welfare Framework of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, specific reference is made to the need to improve the welfare of productive animals as well. This is also dictated by the new EU policies, such as the Farm to Plate Strategy. In 2022 we will focus on developing actions focused on the protection of productive animals. In our country there are at any given time about 4 million productive animals. It is therefore imperative to ensure that all animals intended to serve human needs, during their lifetime, live in appropriate conditions and are treated well by humans.t35_ t36_I would like to make special reference to the role played by the voluntary movement in our country, especially for the protection of animals. A large number of our dedicated citizens are daily committed to the protection of stray or injured animals and strive with whatever means they have to take care of animals in need of human assistance. I would therefore like to express my deep appreciation and thanks to all these animal welfare volunteers, many of whom are with us today, for their valuable work.t37_ t38_ Finally, I could not fail to mention personally Mr. Kyriakou, to whose efforts the Cyprus Animal Party owes its creation. Many of the policies and programmes that are currently implemented have been shaped on the basis of his own experienced suggestions and opinions, while the network of contacts that he has developed over the years with institutions and organisations inside and outside the country, allows for the collection of useful information and the formation of a fuller picture of good practices implemented in other countries on animal welfare and protection issues. Mr Kyriakou, you are undoubtedly a key leader in animal welfare issues and I thank you for the excellent cooperation we have developed over the years, which I am sure will continue uninterrupted.t39_ t40_I wish you all the best in our common struggle and Happy Holidays.t41_ t42_ t43_ t44_MK/EXt45_ t46_Note.
t47_Contents of this article including associated images are belongs t48_PIOt49_
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or t50_PIOt51_t52_
t53_Sourcet54_t55_
