The Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Alicia Bugeja Said, has announced a new temporary measure whereby, through guidelines issued by the Director for Animal Welfare, horse-drawn carriages will not be permitted to operate whenever the Malta Meteorological Office issues a Red Alert - Extreme Heat Warning.

This measure is being introduced as a temporary and preventive action based on the precautionary principle, with the aim of further strengthening the protection of horses' welfare during periods of extreme heat, before situations arise that could endanger the animals' health and wellbeing, the government said Saturday.

In recent weeks, Malta has experienced exceptionally high temperatures which may pose serious risks to the health and welfare of horses. This risk increases when animals are required to pull carriages in extreme heat conditions, which is why this preventive measure is being adopted.

Before taking this decision, the Parliamentary Secretariat and the Directorate for Animal Welfare met with representatives of the carriage drivers to discuss the situation. The meeting was held in a spirit of constructive dialogue and resulted in an agreement whereby, as an immediate measure, carriage drivers would voluntarily cease operating whenever an extreme heat warning is issued. The discussion also reinforced collaboration between the Government and this sector to ensure that animal welfare remains a priority.

Bugeja Said stated that this measure clearly demonstrates the Government's vision of placing animal welfare at the centre of policymaking.

Bugeja Said explained, "We have a duty to take responsible and preventive decisions to protect animals from conditions that may pose a danger to them. This measure is a clear example of a government that listens, consults and acts in the best interests of animals, while continuing to work hand in hand with all operators involved in order to safeguard this tradition."

The parliamentary secretary thanked the carriage drivers for their cooperation and positive attitude they demonstrated throughout the discussions that led to this measure. She also thanked animal welfare organisations and activists who have continued to raise awareness in a constructive manner about the importance of animal welfare. She stressed that through dialogue and collaborative efforts between the Government, operators and society, balanced solutions can be found that always prioritise animal welfare.

The Director of the Animal Welfare Department, Dennis Sciberras, stated that every step which strengthens animal protection is a positive one. He said, "These guidelines are based on the precautionary principle and are intended to protect the welfare of horses during periods of extreme heat."

One of the carriage drivers welcomed the measure, stating that the health of the horses remains the most important aspect of his profession.

Charlie Barbara, representative of the Rabat horse-drawn carriage drivers, thanked the Secretariat and said that the temporary measure strikes a balance between protecting the welfare of the horses and preserving the horse-drawn carriage tradition. He added that he looks forward to continuing to work with the authorities to ensure both animal welfare and the tradition are safeguarded.

The measure will come into force through Guidelines issued by the Director for Animal Welfare in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Horse-Drawn Carriages Regulations (S.L. 439.22) and will be published in the Government Gazette.