د . إAEDSRر . س

One Day After Valletta Protest, Animal Activists Meet Ministers To Discuss Way Forward

Article Featured Image

Less than 24 hours after carrying out a protest in Valletta, a group of animal rights activists held a meeting with Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said to discuss the way forward.

“Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said believes that the role of NGOs and activists within society is very important, and in fact, together with Minister Refalo, had already scheduled a meeting with representatives of activists in favour of animal rights,” a spokesperson for Bugeja Said told Lovin Malta when asked for her reaction to the protest.

“The fruitful meeting was held this morning. Various issues were discussed and Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said reiterated her commitment on the implementation of the electoral manifesto for the sector.”

“Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said has been PS for animal rights for the past two months and one of the first initiatives was the national consultation on the National Animal Welfare Strategy which is currently open for feedback from the public as this is a sector where everyone needs to work together.”

The meeting was held with Joanna Mallia, Maria D’Amato and others, who represented a group of NGOs and sanctuaries that put forward proposals at the protest.

Mallia told Lovin Malta that while it’s too early to tell whether the meeting was successful, the activists offered their full support to work together in the best interests of animals, NGOs and the government.

She said the ministers appeared receptive to their proposals, so much so that they asked them to review two cat feeder schemes ahead of a follow-up meeting in a few weeks time.

Last Wednesday, animal activists issued a range of proposals, including the allocation of more resources to the Animal Welfare Department and animal emergency service, more aid to feeders and sanctuaries, and harsher fines on animal abusers.

It turned out to be a lively protest, with activists heckling Labour MPs as they walked out of Parliament, with particular anger spared for Bugeja Said.

What can be done to improve animal welfare in Malta? 

READ NEXT: Watch: Animal Activists Heckle MPs In Lively Valletta Protest As They Issue Ten Proposals

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

You may also love

View All