Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1525930
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 28 AUGUST 2024 NEWS KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt ͳͷͻͶ ǡǡǡʹͺ ǡʹͲʹͶǡͺȀʹͲʹ͵ ȋͲͳͶͷȌȋͲͶͲʹ͵ͲȌ ǡ ͳͺȋ͵ȌǤͳʹǤ ǤͺȀʹͲʹ͵ʹͺǡʹͲʹ͵ǡ ͻǡʹͲʹ͵ǡ Ǥ ǡǡ ͻǡʹͲʹ͵ǡ Ȁ ͵ʹͻȀʹʹȀ Ǣ Ǥ ͺȀʹͲʹ͵ ͻǡʹͲʹͶǡ ͻǤͲͲǤǤ Notification: Akasha Hamed, Listz, 204, Flat 2, Triq D'Argens, Gżira ȋȌǡͳǡʹͲʹͶ ǡǡǤǤ ǡ PUBLIC NOTICE Karl Caruana, Self-employed iSHINE Deep Cleaning hereby declare the iSHINE's intention for register for an Employment Agency Licence in accordance with article 23 of Employment and Training Services Act 1990. The activities proposed to be carried out are as follows: • Cleaning Services Official registered office address: ISHINE, Blue Grotto Avenue, Zurrieq HUMAN interaction with wild animals at zoos will now be banned unless a permit is issued by the Veterinary Regulation Di- rectorate. The new rules cover wild ani- mals ranging from monkeys, to tigers to dolphins. Government on Tuesday an- nounced new regulations on the keeping of Animals in Zoos, more than four years after a White Pa- per had been published. The new rules, which address unregulated areas in the 2002 law on the keeping of wild ani- mals, which come into force in two months time, will also regu- late breeding, zoo enclosures and safety practices at these establish- ments. The aim of the new regulations is to protect wild fauna and to conserve biodiversity by provid- ing for the licensing, registration and inspection of zoos in order to strengthen the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity; to protect the health and well-being of animals; and to protect the pub- lic from these animals. In a media briefing on Tuesday, ministry officials said the new rules will lead to tighter regulation on the breeding on wild animals in these establishments. They explained that the law will ban human interaction with these animals, but zoo owners will be allowed to apply for a permit with the Veterinary Regulation Direc- torate (VRD) to allow such inter- action. Questioned on cub petting, fol- lowing controversy which erupt- ed when the White Paper was published, they said that tighter breeding and new rules will in- evitably lead to a decrease in cub petting. But given owners can still apply for the special permit, the attrac- tion could still continue at these establishments. In 2020, government proposed the prohibition of big-cat cub pet- ting at zoos in a White Paper, but relinquished it just 24 hours later following outrage by zookeep- er and known Labour adherent Anton Cutajar. The regulations were officially released for public consultation on 9 November and the petting of cubs and touching of wild animals by visitors was ex- pressly banned. However, a day later, the draft was amended to allow the prac- tice as long as this was carried out under the supervision of the zoo's vet. On Tuesday new rules also set out guidelines on breeding, enclo- sure sizes and food standards for these animals. The rules The new regulations come into force within two months when they are published on Tuesday, and existing licenced zoos are be- ing granted a transitional period of one year. A licence holder shall only hold one zoo licence. The new rules stipulate condi- tions for the holding of dangerous animals in line with SL 439.19: Owning and Keeping of Danger- ous Animals Regulations, and include guidelines of enclosures, including CCTV. Changes include rules that zoos must have an appropriate health programme, and the director will issue standards in the Govern- ment Gazette regarding on-site animal health facilities. It will not also be mandatory for zoo owners to report animals' birth and deaths, with the same zoos carrying out a research and conservation programme. Breeding will also be regulated, and will be subject to the direc- tor's approval, with measures put in place to ensure there is no in- breeding of species. Owners will also be obliged to keep substances and instruments for the safety of animals and general public. Public interaction with animals is not allowed, unless in accord- ance with guidelines to be issued by the director of the VRD. VRD officers will also be obliged carry out inspections at least once a year, and will be carried out be- fore the issuing or renewing of a zoo licence. The payment to get a new zoo licence will that of €500, while a licence renewal will cost €100. The new rules state that the zoo owners must contribute to the newly setup Animal Welfare Awareness and Research Fund. Upon applying for a new zoo li- cence, owners must contribute a fee of €1,500, and €400 upon re- newal. Zoo owners will need permit to allow human interaction with wild animals Animal Rights Minister Anton Refalo (centre) flanked by Director of Veterinary Regulations Directorate Director Paul Portelli (left) and Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Alicia Bugeja Said briefs the media on the new rules (Photo: James Bianchi/ MaltaToday)