A long-awaited list regulating which animals may be kept and sold as pets is being compiled, albeit with some unexpected inclusions.
To the surprise of some, pigs, cows, donkeys, horses and other farmyard animals are also included.
The list has already received a warm reception but has also raised eyebrows, with MPs themselves noting that further clarifications and amendments are required.
Deputy head of the House environment committee, Charalambos Theopemptou, hailed the progress which has been made at Wednesday’s meeting.
“I remember the discussion began back in 2008… and I hope that with everyone’s contribution we will be able to have good regulations as regards the sale of animals,” he said.
He told the Cyprus Mail that pet shops will now have to abide by a list of approved animals, as currently there is little if no regulation covering this issue.
But the list also includes a number of animals which may be kept in a person’s garden, such as donkeys and pigs, which has caused some confusion.
“It’s a bit strange that according to this general list I have the right to keep a horse or a donkey in my garden,” he said.
He proposed a separate list which would set out conditions for such farmyard animals. Criteria such as the size of the land in question and which zone it is located in will address this issue.
As for the main list itself, he told the Cyprus Mail that it will be in tune with many other European countries.
“A ‘positive list’ states which animals may be sold and kept, compared to other lists which specifically say which are not permitted,” Theopemptou said.
“If it’s not on the list, then it’s not allowed.”
Details were not immediately available as to exactly which animals are on the list, but Theopemptou said some animals will no longer be sold in pet shops.
One pet shop owner in Paphos told the Cyprus Mail that he does not foresee any issues arising from the regulation but noted that “you never know what they might do”.
Another hurdle which the committee is hoping to clear is that of municipal regulations clashing with some of the farmyard animals.
Some municipalities have regulations against certain farm animals being kept in urban areas, which may lead to a clash in legislation which the committee is seeking to address.
Other key issues which were debated at the meeting included the size of cages and the duty of care.
Back in May, the cabinet approved regulations aimed at stopping the import of exotic and wild animals as pets.
The regulations forbid the sale of venomous and dangerous animal species, or the sale of any animal without being registered.
The move is considered as a breakthrough since gaps in legislation have allowed the import of all kinds of animals as pets, including crocodiles, monkeys and dangerous snakes.
