A delegation from the agriculture ministry took part in an European conference on combating wildlife trade.
Cyprus was invited to the event, held on Thursday in Brussels, as one of the first of nine EU countries to implement a policy of banning the keeping of wild mammals as pets through national legislation, according to official announcement.
Legislation introduced by Cyprus in 2021, governing the protection and welfare of animals including their keeping and sale, decreed that persons already owning animals which are not on the list of permitted species, are permitted to keep them until the end of their life, provided that they are declared to the state veterinary services.
The conference on combating the trade in wild animals was undertaken within the framework of European and national legislation, under the auspices of the Eurogroup for animals and animal advocacy.
The ministry was represented by Senior Officer of Agriculture Marina Michaelidou-Kadi, and Veterinary Officer Natia Kalli.