The bill for the protection, rights and welfare of animals, approved in early August by the Council of Ministers, contains deficiencies and some contradictions and could generate possible consequences and impacts on biodiversity, according to various experts consulted by EFE.
Among the most controversial measures, the protection of cat colonies and the implementation of the Capture, Sterilize and Return (CER) method are questioned, in addition to the positive list, which would include the species allowed for import, maintenance, breeding and trade as companion animals, as defined in the previous draft published by the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030.
The lawyer in animal law of the organization of legal operators for animals Intercids, Cristina Bécares, has clarified, in relation to the treatment of cats, that finally "the sterilization of all cats under six months of age living in any home, that of any colony cat and animals that are subject to adoption" is foreseen so that "uncontrolled breeding" of this species can be controlled.
"This law is necessary," said the head of the WWF species program, Laura Moreno, who, although in favor of some sections of the bill, believes that "it has several aspects to improve."
Regarding these feline colonies, she indicated that most of the allegations made by WWF to the March draft had to do with them and the "impact they cause on biodiversity."
"The regulations are protecting these colonies," but according to Moreno "there are areas where this is not enough" and, even being sterilized, "they continue to hunt in certain very valuable environments with protected species."
Likewise, the president of the Valencian Herpetological Society (So.He.Va.) and member of Fauna, Txema López, considers that this law "seems to be written from a purely moral point of view, not so much based on scientific criteria", and has insisted on the "elimination" of these colonies that "are causing serious problems" with species such as birds or lizards, especially "ending" with native species in the Canary Islands, he explained.
On the other hand, he has also criticized the introduction of a positive list, since, according to López, it can "favor the trafficking of species", which become illegal, remaining outside the list and "receiving consideration of prohibited gender", causing the species not to reproduce.
According to the text, "all species protected in some way will not be able to be on that positive list", he stressed, insisting that it could become an "economic and social debacle of very large proportions" taking into account that "Spain is a large producer" of birds of prey and parrots, among other species, and that it would harm, in turn, the workers who are dedicated to it.
Laura Moreno, however, has highlighted from WWF that this list seems to them "something good" with respect to the limitation of species to have as pets, but also clarifying that it is something "difficult to elaborate" since aspects such as "the impacts that animals may have on biodiversity" are contemplated.
Bécares, for her part, considers that there are other measures to improve, such as "certain situations that could be specified a little more", such as the time an animal can be tied or on a balcony, or even the distinction between companion dogs, hunting dogs, livestock and herding, when the owner has to go through a training course.
"In the end, the obligations regarding dogs are the same for all dogs," according to the Intercids representative.
"We are going to bet on these deficiencies being improved," Moreno added, concluding that "there are collateral risks" and that, therefore, "the conservation of biodiversity must be above the welfare of some animals that we consider must be prioritized in more global issues."
Animal Protection Bill: Impacts and Consequences Under Debate
The bill for the protection, rights and welfare of animals was approved in early August by the Council of Ministers
