In October IAR Malta’s Max Farrugia attended the third annual general conference of ENDCAP. This Pan-European coalition of animal welfare experts seeks to ensure that wild animals kept in zoos, circuses, dolphinaria, sanctuaries, or as pets receive the high level of welfare protection they need. The meeting was held in Brussels for the first time this year and was attended by forty delegates from various European countries.
During the conference elections were held and for the third year running Max Farrugia was elected as a member of the management committee for ENDCAP. Commenting on his confirmation on the management committee Max Farrugia stated that the commitment of International Animal Rescue towards the welfare and protection of wild animals was recognized and appreciated by all the other countries involved.
Max is also chairperson responsible for the committee within ENDCAP for the illegal capture and trade of wild animals. This committee is made up of members from England, Scotland, Armenia, Finland, Spain and Hungary.
Max Farrugia and Elaine Toland of the Animal Protection Agency jointly presented a document to the conference on the situation in Europe which was discussed both in committee and in plenary.
The Illegal Trade and Capture of Wildlife Committee is now committed to preparing a dossier on the “situation of reptiles in Europe” to be used as a position paper for their campaign. The dossier will include the arguments why wild animals should be banned as pets, and guidance notes on what should be included in an EC directive. These will be backed by data and information on the situation in various EU countries.