The Cuban Ministry of Agriculture (Minag) sanctioned with fines of 3000 and 1500 pesos to those involved in the event that occurred yesterday during a show at the Fiagrop 2022 International Agroindustrial Food Fair, when several participants shook a sack with a small cat inside and others tried to catch it, whipping it with ropes during a rodeo.
In the “Informative note number two” it is reported that the two artists involved were fined 3,000 Cuban pesos, and for the athletes fines of 1,500 pesos, as established in Decree 38/2021, article 58, clause A.
Animal abuse at a Cuban agricultural fair leads the Ministry of Agriculture to apologize
“It was found that the event was carried out spontaneously and unforeseen by the comedians in charge of animating the activity, violating the Approved Program for the event and the Cuban Rodeo Regulations in force since 1997,” he says. the communication, which insists that what happened had not happened in previous shows of the Rodeo meetings at the Rancho Boyeros Fairgrounds, “nor will we allow them to happen in future editions.”
The administrative, disciplinary and misdemeanor sanctions “correspond as established in Decree-Law No.31/2021 on Animal Welfare and its Regulations, regulations that develop the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, regarding the duty of Cuban citizens to protect natural resources, flora and fauna and ensure the conservation of a healthy environment, “according to the information.
Through this statement, the Minag authorities warn that the measure was taken in conjunction with the General Directorate of the National Center for Animal Health (CENASA) and the Livestock Business Group (GEGAN).
Finally, the authorities highlight that the actions foreseen in the Training and communication plan carried out by the Cuban government will be maintained, to make known about the legal norms of Animal Welfare, to raise awareness about the subject, especially with the rodeo teams in the country “through the Cuban Society of Rodeo Cowboys of the Cuban Association of Animal Production (ACPA) and ANIPLANT”.
What happened generated criticism from independent activists on social networks, where the video of the aforementioned abuse went viral, to bring the issue of animal welfare in the country, even though the Cuban government approved the Decree-Law on Animal Welfare in February 2021, a legislation demanded for years by activists and organizations that defend animals.
