Regulations on animal welfare in Cuba come into effect

The coming into effect of legal regulations of decree-law on Animal Welfare in Cuba on Saturday is the result of a social demand and establishes guarantees for wildlife protection.

This was stated on its website by the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG), in charge of implementing the legal framework under the current Constitution of the Republic.

According to Yobany Gutierrez, director of the National Animal Health Center, the decree-law seeks to regulate the principles, duties, rules and goals regarding the care, health and use of specimens

This policy defined welfare as 'the adequate physical and mental state of an animal regarding the conditions under which it lives and dies,' which is the same concept considered by relevant international organizations, Gutierrez said.

This agency believes that the regulations will contribute to raise awareness on the care and respect to species and achieve a harmonious relationship between human beings and the environment.

The legal director at this ministry, Orlando Diaz, said the norms are not perfect because they are the first legal system on this issue in Cuba and does not solve all problems, so further study will be done to improve it.