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Animal rights groups want members on welfare council
Two civil society nominations by Animal Rights Coalition to animal welfare council not yet approved by parliamentary secretary
25 November 2013, 12:00am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
1 min read
Two representatives from civil society organisations have not yet been appointed to the government's Animal Welfare Council, despite their impressions to the contrary.
MaltaToday is informed that the parliametary secretariat for agriculture and animal rights had requested the Animal Rights Coalition to forward two names from its federated organisations, to sit on the AWC.
In accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, the composition of the Animal Welfare Council should include two persons to represent the interest of animal welfare groups.
But so far, the names of Myriam Kirmond and Lino Mintoff, have not yet been accepted into the new council. They were submitted at the request of the parliamentary secretariat itself.
A reform on animal welfare is currently underway, but so far the new three-year tenure of the committee does not include the two members nominated by the Animal Rights Coalition.
It appears that the names of Kirmond and Mintoff were received by the parliamentary secretariat. But instead the civil society representatives on the AWC include Matthew Brincat, the president of the Marsa Racing Club; Joseph Camenzuli, a well-known cat breeder and official photographer of the Labour Party; and teacher Marica Micallef, who is also a part-time lecturer at the University of Malta and dog walker.
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
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The Animal Rights Coalition has worked hard for many years to improve the situation of animals in Malta. The representatives chosen democratically by the Coalition deserve to occupy their rightful place on the Animal Welfare Council so that the rights of animals can be TRULY represented. Ms Kirmond represented the Coalition previously on the AWC and has proven that the welfare of animals is her priority, she has worked on issues which now need to be finalised and even for the sake of continuity, if for nothing else, it does not make sense that she has been left out of the AWC. Moreover she is in close touch with other NGOs and knows their situations and needs and can therefore represent them.
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If it isnt for NGO's the animal situation in Malta would be grim. These two people have earned their right to sit on the AWC
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Myriam Kirmond and Lino Mintoff are Known names by all for their relentless work as NGO's The Animal Welfare Council needs their input to function correctly
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a well known cat breeder & the president of the marsa racing club took preference over animal rights group??? something smells fishy! i thought this was for the animals sake... yeah right !! Who made this wonderful and intelligent decision?!
Sammy Cutajar •
Can't understand why Mrs Myriam Kirkmond and Mr.Lino Mintoff have been left out or not yet accepted in the new council!
They have every right and the right views to be in the Government Animal Welfare Council.
I have known Mrs Kirmond for a very long time and can vouch how much she cares for animals.
Therefore I am asking and urging the Parliamentary Secretary to do his utmost and call these two people to sit in the new council.
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Animal Welfare groups have worked selflessly to defend animal rights and animal welfare for so many years.
According to the Animal Welfare Act, NGOs representing animals should nominate their representatives to form part of the Animal Welfare Council. This has been the practice in recent years.
Why has the Parliamentary Secretary not appoint the elected NGOs representatives?
Joseph MELI •
So the obvious question which urgently demands to answered is -WHY not?
