Horse-Drawn Carriages Will Not Operate When Red Alert Extreme Heat Warning Issued

Horse-drawn carriages will not be permitted to operate whenever the Malta Meteorological Office issues a Red Alert for extreme heat, under a new temporary measure announced by Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour Alicia Bugeja Said.

The measure, introduced through guidelines issued by the Director for Animal Welfare, aims to strengthen the protection of horses during periods of exceptionally high temperatures.

It is based on the precautionary principle and is intended to prevent situations that could place the animals’ health and wellbeing at risk.

Parliamentary Secretary Bugeja Said said the decision follows recent weeks of extreme heat in Malta, which can pose serious risks to horses, particularly when they are required to pull carriages in high temperatures.

Before introducing the measure, the Parliamentary Secretariat and the Directorate for Animal Welfare held discussions with representatives of carriage drivers.

The meeting resulted in an agreement that drivers would voluntarily stop operating whenever an extreme heat warning is issued, while continuing cooperation with authorities to safeguard animal welfare.

Bugeja Said said the measure reflects the Government’s commitment to placing animal welfare at the centre of policymaking. She thanked carriage drivers, animal welfare organisations and activists for their cooperation and constructive approach during discussions.

Director of the Animal Welfare Department Dennis Sciberras said the guidelines represent a positive step towards strengthening animal protection and are designed to safeguard horses during extreme heat conditions.

Charlie Barbara, representing Rabat horse-drawn carriage drivers, welcomed the measure, saying the welfare of horses remains the most important aspect of the profession. He said the decision creates a balance between protecting animals and preserving the horse-drawn carriage tradition.

#MaltaDaily