Page 114 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

annamaria Procacci

sion for the environment, and their very strong request to protect animals. A
few years ago, during a parliamentary hearing, a European Commissioner
declared that he was pleased to see that a vast majority of petitions, also from
a numerical point of view, was linked to animal protection.

However, I want to discuss also about some drawbacks: although Italy has
excellent laws, we must admit that it is affected by a lack of implementation of
law. I had the honour and the duty to be one of the legislators of Law number
281 of 1991, for the protection of pets and for the prevention of straying,
affecting not only cats and dogs. We have, let me say this again, excellent laws
which are also a model for the international community but, unfortunately, they
are betrayed as in a large part of our Country they are not implemented.

We must abandon this condition of non-fulfilment which often leads to a
breach of international and European laws. How many times Europe has accu-
sed us? Unfortunately even now Italy is being watched by Europe with the
infringement procedures and, before, with formal notice. These are procee-
dings which cause some unease and a sense of humiliation. Our prestige may
be at risk!

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